A former member of the House of Representatives for Birnin Kudu/Buji Federal Constituency, Engineer Magaji Da’u Aliyu, has said that the voter registration card should be regarded as an equivalent means of identification, just like the passport or National Identification Number (NIN) in developed countries.
The former lawmaker stated this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
He emphasized the need for collective efforts by stakeholders to ensure that all eligible citizens register or revalidate their voter’s cards.
Engineer Magaji Da’u Aliyu also commended the Governor Namadi-led administration for setting up a committee on voter registration campaigns, headed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, Alhaji Lawan Garba Bullet, to mobilize local government councils for the success of the exercise.
According to him, available data on the voter registration exercise from Lagos and other states in the South-South and South-East compared to the low turn out in the 19 Northern states is a cause for concern in view of the population strength of the North.
Magaji Da’u Aliyu explained that he is fully informed of the contributions of the chairmen of Birnin Kudu and Buji local government areas to the voter registration exercise.
He pointed out that, there is the need for more concerted efforts to achieve the desired mission.
Magaji Da’u, therefore, called on youths who attain the eligibility age and people who relocate from other places as well as those who lost their cards or damaged to register or revalidate their voter cards.
He added that such would enable them vote for candidates of their choices or drive unscrupulous politicians out of office
USMAN MZ