Kogi,Bayelsa,Imo: Draw lessons from the general elections, be professional, CDD tells stakeholders

Ahead of Saturday’s election in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) through it’s Election Analysis Centre, EAC, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other critical stakeholders to avoid pitfalls that threatened the 2023 general elections.

The CCD-EAC made the call at its pre-election press conference on Friday in Abuja.

Mrs Funke Baruwa who spoke on behalf of the organisation said threats of violence, misinformation and inducements could be avoided if sufficient efforts are put in place to mitigate them.

She charged INEC, political parties, media and civil society organisations to apply lessons learnt from the general elections and deploy professionalism in carrying out their assignments.

The organisation said that they have deployed 150 observers and fact checkers numbering across the three states.

According to them, “The outcomes of the elections will significantly impact the political fortunes of the parties involved and lay foundation for subsequent off-cycle elections. As a result, we are mindful that the fallout from the 2023 general elections remain fresh in the memories of voters and politicians as they engage the process”.

They however charged INEC and all the security agencies to work together to ensure a peaceful, free and safe electioneering exercise.

The group further warned against interference by incumbent government stating that this could affect voters turnout.

“There have been concerns of abuse of power of incumbency by governors instituting policies to suppress dissent and opposition party voices in their states. This trend is harmful to our democracy and associated spikes in cases of pre-election violence in these states concerns for voters turnout in affected states.

“These issues point to the need to ensure that all actors in the electoral landscape are aware of the important roles they hold in ensuring a peaceful election. We welcome the increased synergy between the security agencies and INEC, as evidenced by their presence during the mock accreditation held on 14 October 2023. This will go a long way in ensuring strategic coordination and cohesion in addressing fears of violence and voters suppression in these states. Nevertheless, we call on the security agencies tonhe professional and non-partisan in the discharge of their responsibilities.

“More so, these elections will be held in the aftermath of recent judicial pronouncements that have changed the nature of the campaign cycle. The rulings returning Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator representing Kogi Central, and that reinstating Timipre Sylva as the APC governorship nominee in Bayelsa and the confirmation of Athan Achonu as the Labour Party governorship nominee in Imo speaks in the growing influence the judiciary has in the electoral process. We are hopeful that political parties and citizens see this as a call to eschew violence and revert to legal and laid-down adjudication processes in resolving post-election conflicts”.