The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says it will not pay its workers’ salaries until they obtain the Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

This came on the heels of an earlier directive by IPMAN’s national president Chinedu Okoronkwo asking its employees nationwide to obtain their PVCs before the expiration of INEC’s June 30 deadline.

Last week, Peoples Gazette reported law firm Antonio Lex Firma threatened to withhold salaries of its employees if they do not have the PVC as part of their civic duty ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The IPMAN salary payment condition is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the chapter chairman Bashir-Danmallam.

Mr Danmallam stated that the decision was reached at a meeting with Mr Okoronkwo who mandated him to issue the statement.

“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,” stated IPMAN. “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.”

The statement added, “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 IPMAN chairman also 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.

“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),” stated IPMAN.

It explained that besides the federal government, IPMAN “is the highest employer of labour.” in the country. 

IPMAN added, “We call on INEC to consider the possibility of extending the deadline for the registration.”

Mr Danmallam urged IPMAN members to make the best use of the opportunity to register before the expiration of the deadline. 

(NAN)