Awka – Ahead of this year’s governorship election in Anambra State, the Civil Society Group in the state has urged all political actors to imbibe the culture of credible and violence-free elections and to eschew all forms of bitterness.
Anambra’s governorship election is due for later this year and the Christmas and Newyear period had witnessed heightened political activities across parts of the state as the aspirants scout for support.
In a chat with TNC correspondent in Awka on Monday, the Chairman, Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET), Prince Chris Azor said stakeholders must understand that election in a democracy, is all about the people and who they decide to lead them.
According to him, all stakeholders must commit to imbibing the culture of free, fair, credible and violence free elections and to eschew all forms of bitterness, if the state will witness smooth transition to a new administration.
Azor who observed the massive voter apathy and vote-buying that had characterized elections in the state in the past recommended early education and sensitization of the electorate to curb the worrisome trend.
“We must start early to sensitize our people on the need to come out and participate. Our people should stop complaining when we have bad leadership, if they cannot come out and ensure that only credible candidates are elected into office. We advocate early sensitization and advocacy, to equip the electorates with the right knowledge and capacity to make informed choices and also ensure that their choices are respected through active participation throughout the electoral season,” he said.
The Anambra CSO Chairman assured that the Civil Society Group will support the process with early sensitization and mobilization of the electorate, starting from the continuous voter registration exercise slated for the first quarter of this year.
Azor who also spoke on sundry issues, tasked governments at the Federal and sub-national levels to embark on massive developmental projects to fast-track the process of exiting the current economic recession in the country by paying particular attention to security, social infrastructure, Agriculture, youth/women empowerment and general poverty alleviation.
ASCONET lauded the January to December budget implementation circle being observed by the federal and State governments, which it believes, will help to ensure timely implementation of the fiscal policy.
It however enjoined the Government to deploy sufficient transparency and accountability measures in service delivery, going forward.
Acknowledging the critical role security plays towards economic stability and prosperity, the group implored government at all levels to partner with citizens to push back all forms of insecurity, through reforms, technology and partnerships.
