Cross River House of Assembly Speaker Eteng Jonah-Williams and his Ogun counterpart, Olakunle Oluomo, have called on Nigerians to come out en masse to register for the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ahead of the 2023 election.

The Speakers made the call in separate statements to mark the annual Democracy Day on June 12.

Mr Jonah-Williams, in a statement by his media aide, Hope Obeten, said that it was only through the PVCs that Nigerians could exercise their voting right for the candidate of their choice in 2023.

The Speaker charged Nigerians not to lose hope in the leadership in the country as there were clear signs that the government was on its way to gaining the total dividends of democracy.

Mr Jonah-Williams said that even though the country faced various challenges in its march toward nationhood, Nigerians should roll out the drums and celebrate the 23 years of its democracy.

Similarly, Mr Oluomo said it was important for all qualified citizens to get their PVCs to sustain democracy. “Those yet to get their PVCs should endeavour to do the needful.

“You cannot complain when you don’t have the honour to participate in the election, and for June 12 to remain valid and constant in our hearts, all Nigerians should go and get their PVCs and be ready to determine who wins election in 2023,” he said on Sunday.

Mr Oluomo described Chief M.K.O Abiola as Nigeria’s martyr for democracy that must be continuously celebrated.

(NAN)