Stakeholders canvass Commission for LG elections
By Peter Okolie
Stakeholders in Imo have advocated for the establishment of a federal commission to oversee local government elections across the country.
According to them, this will promote a more transparent, fair, and credible electoral process at the local government level.
The stakeholders made the call in Owerri at a town hall meeting organised by SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, with funding from European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGN).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders included members of civil society groups, traditional and religious leaders, election management bodies, women and youth groups, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and security agencies.
Speaking at the occasion, the state Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Ichie Ekeh, decried the alleged hijacking of electoral process at the local government level by political parties.
“Part of the reasons we have voter apathy is because ruling parties often hijack the process in various states.
“Some candidates who took part in the local government elections are unknown and were not allowed for scrutiny by community members,” he said.
The traditional ruler of Umuekwure community in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area, Eze George Nwosu, called for the strengthening of institutions to hold politicians accountable.
“There is the need to interrogate the leadership recruitment process from the delegate level to elected officials,” he stated.
In his own contribution, the Chief Imam of Imo, Sheikh Suleiman Njoku, said rather than emphasising on love for material things, the society should focus more on reviving moral and societal values.
On his part, Mr Chimezie Ebosie, from SALTI Initiative, a civil society organisation, urged political parties to step up voter education rather than leaving it for election management bodies alone.
To Mr Okechukwu Egwumba, Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), financial independence of electoral management bodies is key to improving electoral system.
Also, the Head of Voter Education Department, INEC in Imo, Mrs Emmanuella Ben-Opara, restated the commission’s readiness to improve partnership with stakeholders with a view to improving democratic process in the country.
Others who spoke at the meeting also advocated for collaborative network with stakeholders and improved advocacy to strengthen the country’s electoral process.
They also called for compliance with legal frameworks, prosecution of electoral offenders and establishment of electoral offenders’ commission.
Earlier, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mr Eghosa Erhumwunse, said the meeting was organised to review previous elections in the state, beginning with the 2023 general elections to the local government polls.
Erhumwunse, who was represented by the Consulting Manager of the group, Mr David Gabriel, said the meeting would enable participants to share experiences and proffer solutions to future elections.
“Through these dialogues, participants reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence, active citizen participation, and enhancement of the democratic process in Nigeria,” Erhumwunse said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
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