… NOA calls for more partnership, assures support
Ahead of future elections in Nigeria, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, PAACA, has extended her one-day town hall meeting on electoral reform to Anambra State.
Executive Director of PAACA, Mr Ezenwa Nwangwu, who stated that similar programme has been held in Cross River, Akwa-Ibom and Enugu, and will hold in all states of the federation, said political education is necessary ahead of future elections in Nigeria, and expressed concern that not much people are in possession of Electoral Act, a document he observed has been left as exclusive property of lawyers.
He outlined the objectives of the programne to include fostering inclusive dialogue among citizens from varied backgrounds concerning electoral reform and constitutional amendment, enhancing public understanding and awareness regarding electoral reform, as well as compiling and presenting citizen-driven recommendations to the National Assembly and INEC for consideration.
Mr Nwangwu acknowledged that nonconduct of local government election in Anambra and other states of the Southeast has been a challenge to reforming electoral processes and deepening democracy in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Anambra State Cordinator of PAACA, Mrs Eucharia Anekwe, charged participants to help take message of the event to the grassroot for more impact.
In his remark, the Anambra State Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Edozie Ajaegbu, noted that poor political culture, absence of internal party democracy and electoral corruption have continued to undermine the ability of the electoral process to produce candidates who can effectively represent the aspirations and yearnings of Nigerians.
He however observed that since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria’s electoral process has progressively improved judging by various factors, including citizens’ demands, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs’ advocacy, legislative reforms, credible leadership in INEC, and International supports.
Having actively participated in previous Nigerian’s elections, Mr Ajaegbu, represented by Mr Ignatius Obiora, said NOA, in line with its mandate of ensuring public enlightenment, mass mobilization, voters education and feedback from the public to government, have identified certain traits in voter behaviours and the electoral processes, which if not tackled, can slow down or at worse derail Nigeria democratic process.
Some of the voter behaviours he described as worrisome include the issue of voided votes, the challenge of vote buying and selling, and the need for peaceful elections.
While commending PAACA for organizing the event, Mr Ajaegbu called for more partnership with other donor agencies to ensure that the objectives of the town hall meeting are achieved, even as it assures PAACA and the society of its readiness to support enthronement of genuine democratic process in Nigeria.
The event, which is in partnership with MacArthur Foundation, attracted Media practitioners, representatives of Civil Society Organizations, Ohaneze Ndigbo, community leaders, among others.