The Presidency has dismissed as misleading reports that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered that national identity cards be used in the 2019 elections.
A statement by Mr Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, said that for avoidance of any doubt, the President has made no such order.
He said that the Vice President’s speech which was delivered on Thursday by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Ade Ipaye at the Policy Roundtable on Identity Eco-System, did not mention 2019 elections.
“What the speech said was that the President has taken an initiative to harmonize identity management in the country so as to ensure that every Nigerian has a unique identifier.
“And in the same vein, the speech added that it is the “President’s charge that the national identification number, (NIN) is used to authenticate eligible voters in the near future.
“As well as in the areas of access to health insurance, registration of SIM cards, access to social welfare, financial transactions, etc.
“What this means is that such a unique identifier as the NIN can, when eventually issued, help to confirm age and nationality status of eligible voters, for instance.
“Or even help determine eligibility of persons presenting themselves for health, social welfare, financial and other available services in the country.’’
“Mr. President and this administration fully respect the autonomy of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and also very determined to preserve the integrity of the electoral process at all times,’’ the statement concluded.