Mrs Ene-Obi
.. Calls For Improvement in Conduct of Future Elections
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Ahead of March 9th governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections in Nigeria, ActionAid Nigeria has called on the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), to ensure substantial improvement in the conduct of the elections, while setting agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari for the next four years
ActionAid Nigeria noted that while the electoral process of the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections were relatively peaceful across the country, there were a number of issues that are of concern and needed to be addressed before the next presidential elections in 2023 and even the governorship and Assembly poll on March 9, particularly, the perfect use of Cards, deployment of logistics/personnel and safeguarding the ballot boxes.
In a statement by Nihinlola Ayanda, the group said: “ActionAid Nigeria as an accredited observer of the 2019 general elections, observed in the poll in 11 states, namely, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Ondo, Kogi, Kwara, Delta, Ebonyi, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory and deems it fit to comment on the outcome of the presidential elections as follows:
Turnout of eligible voters on was relatively low at 35 per cent when compared to the total number of accredited voters, saying that this has been largely attributed to the postponement of elections which led to voter apathy.
Logistic delays; late opening of polling units and late arrival of necessary supplies such as ballot papers, stamps and markers across the country which was put at 55 per cent.
Electoral abuses, saying that Polling units in different areas of the country reported various types of electoral interference, from the destruction of ballot papers and boxes to the use of scare tactics, such as firing weapons into the air, to disperse potential voters during which it Said 39 Nigerians lost their lives.
“Another issue was the improper use of card readers. Based on ActionAid’s observation of the election, the major issue with card readers was improper handling and use of the machines as most of the polling officers appeared unfamiliar with the gadget.
“A significant issue is low voters’ education. ActionAid Nigeria observed that most voters, especially in the hinterlands are still unaware of the voting process and this is evident in the large number of void votes across polling units in the country.
“Worthy of mention is the poor welfare of INEC ad-hoc staff, especially Corps members which can make them vulnerable to manipulations by political actors.
The group’s Country Director, Ene Obi called for a peaceful post election period, saying that “Nigerians are a passionate people. But we must never let passion overrun our logic; reacting to the results of an election with violence is deeply illogical.
While urging Nigerians to accept the results of the elections in good faith, it called on President Muhammadu Buhari in the interest of the nation and its citizens to address issues of “insecurity, human capital development, poverty eradication and corruption should be prioritised by the re-elected president.
“The current levels of poverty in the country are completely and utterly unacceptable,” says Ene. “We are the richest nation in Africa and yet over 87 million of us live in poverty. It is deeply unjust, but more than that, it is dangerous.
“To bring an end to poverty and insecurity in Nigeria, Buhari must vastly improve public services and infrastructure, intensify efforts in tackling the corruption that plagues this country, and look for alternate revenue sources, such as the proper taxation of foreign companies. Currently Nigeria loses an average of 15 billion USD a year to illicit financial flows, of which most are harmful tax practices. This lost revenue could put millions of out-of-school children back in the classroom.”
“While the President is ultimately responsible for the state of the country in the next four years, citizens also have a key role to play. “Nigerians are a very politically aware people,” states Ene, “but for too long we have chosen to discuss our political opinions and complaints with friends, neighbours and colleagues, rather than actively engage in the political process.
“This needs to stop. Citizenship comes with responsibilities as well as rights; it is now the responsibility of Nigerian citizens to spend the next four years holding Buhari and his government to account.
The group urged President Buhari to engage more with civil society to ensure that effective policies and programmes are created with the needs of poor and marginalized people at the centre.”
