Determined to ensure mass participation in the forthcoming elections, women leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Akwa Ibom have launched a free eye screening and treatment of eligible voters.
The free health scheme was targeted at the visually-impaired eligible voters across the three Senatorial Districts of Ikot Ekpene, Eket and Uyo, with over 15,000 benefiting from the programme at designated centres including Abak, Eket and Uruan.
Organised under the aegis of ‘Friends of Martha Organisation’ (FMO), a socio-political group, the women said the programme tagged: “Operation see clear to vote right”, became necessary to avoid the disenfranchisement of such category of voters during the elections.
The President of the group, Mrs. Ime Ephraim Inyang, who underscored the importance of returning President Goodluck Jonathan as well as all PDP candidates, urged the electorates to shun the sentiments of the opposition and vote for the party.
She explained that the free eye testing and treatment of the less privileged was borne out of “the need to help the visually-impaired voters to be able to identify the PDP Umbrella symbol on the ballot papers and vote correctly for their candidates”.
“As one of the dependable States in the PDP family, if we fail to vote for Mr. President and other PDP candidates, we stand to lose so many good things from the centre.
“Don’t forget the Maritime University, the Ibaka Deep Seaport and other projects that Mr. President promised for this State during his last campaign visit. These projects when implemented will surely change the socio-economic face of our dear State.” She said.
Urging the people to be armed with their Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs and safeguard the cards from those who may want to buy them, adding that “your card is your only power to make decisions at the elections”.
“I am fulfilled today, because I regard the eyes as essential organ of the body and a window to life. The organ is very critical to the existence of man, so I am happy because we have been able to add value to life by this intervention and ensure the less privileged ones also take part in the decision making process of Nigeria at the polls.” She explained.