From Harry Awurumibe in Anambra
Apparently to calm frayed nerves over agitations and restiveness across the country, the Supervising National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education Committee, of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister Festus Okoye has assured Anambra State voters and stakeholders that agitations in different parts of the state are not strange to democracy as it further affords it to strengthen its hold on Nigeria and citizenship.
Okoye said these in his remarks during the Election Stakeholders Meeting with INEC held at Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center in Awka on Wednesday as part of efforts to finetune preparations for the November 6 Anambra Governorship Election.
The INEC Commissioner also eulogied the Commission, saying even when the global pandemic was preventing other countries from proceeding with their activities the INEC was still able to conduct Ondo and Edo elections and the process was adjured the best.
Said he: “Mr. Chairman, the fact must be acknowledged that the ongoing agitations in different parts of the country including Anambra State are not new to deeply divided societies like Nigeria challenged by contestations around nationhood and citizenship”.
“In these agitations, democracy still offers the best opportunity for addressing them in a peaceful manner and that’s why it is in the interest of Nigeria and those genuinely interested in a stronger Nigeria and the progress of the country’s electoral democracy to create enabling environment for peaceful election on Saturday, November 6, 2021″.
“Mr. Chairman, this Commission conducted the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections under very difficult circumstances. The Commission conducted the elections at a time of global uncertainty and fear accentuated by a pandemic whose unique nuances were still evolving. The Commission conducted elections at a time when advanced countries rescheduled, postponed, or abandoned their elections on account of the pandemic”, he said.
He noted that the presence of the Chairman of the Commission at this Forum is a further affirmation of the resolve of the Commission to proceed, with the conduct of the 6th November 2021 Governorship election.
Okoye said under the leadership of the Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Commission developed a unique electoral continuity plan anchored on technology, courage and resilience and conducted both elections.
Those who attended the meeting were the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba; Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese and Secretary of Election Peace Accord, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah; representatives of political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, religious leaders among others.
