Tinubu has apologized after INEC refuted a false allegation he made about Permanent Voter Cards.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a presidential candidate, has apologized for making a false assertion about Permanent Voter Cards.

 

Because “the PVC you have has expired,” Tinubu asked his supporters to participate in the ongoing “new registration” for voter’s cards.

 

He stated, ” “If they do not notify you in a timely manner, your PVC will expire. Take one or two members of your family and knock on all of the doors to ensure that the new registration… Because they might not notify you in a timely manner. Your PVC is no longer valid. Yes!”

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded by urging Nigerians to dismiss Tinubu’s assertions that PVCs have an expiration date.

 

Nigerians who already have PVCs do not need to register anew, according to the commission, because the cards have not expired and are still valid for future elections.

 

Tinubu has now apologized as a result of INEC’s clarification.

 

Tinubu’s media team released a statement claiming that the APC leader used the word “expire” instead of suggesting that the PVCs could need to be updated.

 

The following was part of the statement:

“On Tuesday night in Abuja, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu granted audience to a delegation of women from Lagos and across the country attending the All Progressives Congress Women Conference. While charging the women to check the status of their voting cards and mobilise supporters to vote, he mistakenly used the word ‘expire’ instead of stating that the cards may have to be updated.

 

“Immediately upon being apprised of this, Asiwaju apologised for the incorrect statement and felt sorry for any confusion it may have caused. Asiwaju Tinubu also stressed that he appreciates the patriotic and necessary work of INEC and its personnel in assuring a free and fair electoral process for all Nigerians in all political parties.

 

“At the meeting convened at the behest of the women, Asiwaju emphasised the need for people to fully participate in elections so we strengthen our democracy. He urged them to continue to mobilise voters to update their PVCs and help thwart the prevailing voter apathy. Women must mobilise heavily to reverse the trend, he said.

 

“The gap between those who registered for elections and those who usually turned up to pick their PVCs was wide, adding that such constitutes a serious challenge, which may impede the growth of our democracy.

 

“Asiwaju Tinubu would like to reiterate this call to women to mobilise at the grassroots level so that elections reflect the sovereign will of all the people for a true democracy to be established. He enjoins them to review their voting details with INEC so that these details will be updated before the coming elections.”