According to a report by SaharaReporters, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said its workers without Permanent Voter Card (PVC) will be denied their salaries.
IPMAN’s National President, Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, earlier directed its employees nationwide to obtain their PVCs, before the expiration of the June 30 deadline given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the chapter chairman, Alhaji Bashir-Danmallam in a statement issued on Friday in Kano said the association found It necessary to take the measure.
He said the measure would ensure that all its eligible members obtain PVCs to enable them to exercise their civic responsibility in the 2023 general elections.
He asserted that the decision was reached at a meeting with Mr Okoronkwo who mandated him to issue the statement.
Bashir-Danmallam said members should feel free to vote for any candidate of their choice in any political party, adding that their concern is that members should obtain the PVC because, without it, one cannot vote, PM News reports.
The IPMAN chairman urged INEC to extend the PVC registration period to enable many members who live in remote areas and do not have access to the internet to register.
Bashir-Danmallam said, “The association found it necessary to take the measure to ensure that all its eligible members obtain the PVC to enable them to exercise their civic responsibility at the 2023 general elections.
“We are not saying our members should vote for a particular candidate or political party, but our concern is that our members should obtain the PVC because, without it, one cannot vote.
“Our members should feel free to vote for any candidate of their choice in any political party. They are at liberty to vote for candidates of their choice irrespective of which party affiliations.”
“The union is ready to open offices to facilitate the registration as it gave similar support to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“It assisted the NIMC with computers for the issuance of National Identification Numbers (NIN).
“Besides the Federal Government, our organisation is the highest employer of labour in the country. We call on INEC to consider the possibility of extending the deadline for the registration.
"IPMAN members should make the best use of the opportunity to register before the expiration of the deadline," he noted.
