A delegate to the National Conference, Comrade Issa Aremu, has called for the harmonization of the data on National Identity Card with that of Voter Cards to ensure the credibility and integrity of the Voters Register.

Comrade Aremu, who is the Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, said this after the collection of his Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) in Ilorin West Local government of Kwara State, North Central Nigeria.

He said "In line with the suggestion of the recommendation of the National conference, I suggest that we harmonize the data on National Identity Card with the data on Voters' Card in order to ensure the credibility and integrity of the Voters Register".

Comrade Aremu stressed the need to acknowledge and celebrate Nigeria's democratic achievements, irrespective of the current challenges of governance, describing the just concluded distribution of the Permanent Voters' Cards which took place in eleven states as another feast.

Commendation.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for transforming Temporary Voters' Cards to Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and for deepening confidence among voters about the capacity of the Commission to deliver electoral service.

"It is refreshing that from what I witnessed here in Ilorin, voters' mass enthusiasm has replaced the old voters' apathy. We must commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under Professor Attahiru Jega for deepening confidence among voters about the capacity of the Commission to deliver electoral service," Comrade Aremu said.

The delegate observed that with the large turnout of enthusiastic voters to collect their PVCs, mass participation of political parties and the readiness of INEC officials to identify and register voters promptly, Nigeria is undoubtedly becoming a democracy destination in Africa.

"As we have seen during the exercise, regardless of status and class, one man or one woman is only entitled to one card. This card must translate to one vote for the holder making it an antidote against the notorious problem of rigging of the recent past. The card is key to good education, good health care and good roads, so card holders should not trade their cards for some immediate insulting prices today only for them to be in perceptual bondage of poverty and deprivations tomorrow. The card is the key to good education, good health care and good roads; therefore card holders should not trade their cards for any price." We are indeed in exciting democratic times in which nothing is certain at the state and the Federal levels. Voters are increasingly becoming "kings" and "queens" that must be convinced before contestants can get their votes. We however urge voters, candidates and political parties alike to know that future elections are about contest for policy ideas for public well being and development and not a conquest for offices that would lead to unnecessary and unacceptable violence and disunity. We need peace and cooperation to deepen this democratic process". Comrade Aremu stated.