A coalition of eight civil society organizations (CSOs) in Kogi state has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to learn from the lapses that led the postponement of February 16 general elections.
Arising from an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of the postponement of the elections in Lokoja on Wednesday, the civil society groups backed the Prof. Mahud Yakubu led INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections on the rescheduled dates.
The groups urged the electorate to see the electoral setback as as a necessary sacrifice to entrench democracy in Nigeria.
In a communique issued at the end of the extraordinary meeting, the civil society groups called on eligible voters to make further sacrifice for the nation by turning out enmass on Saturday March 23 to exercise their franchise.
In the communique, as presented by Dara Falade, the CSOs said: “We acknowledge that this postponement has grave consequences economically, physically, psychologically on all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion, political affiliation and economic status.
“At this point, we will not dwell on raising suspicions on the reasons why we got here in the first place as we are well aware that what we are experiencing is an outcome of a general systemic failure we as a nation have over the years institutionalized.
“The electorate should see this setback as a sacrifice necessary to entrench the tenets of democracy in our nation. The economic costs on individuals and communities are no doubt enormous, but not voting at all will cost us even more in the future.
“Apathy is not an option, let’s all vote and keep encouraging others to come out and vote on 23rd February and 9th March.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission need to get its house in order and be rest assured that we are fully behind the leadership of Prof Mahmud Yakubu to give us a credible, free, fair and transparent election come 23d February and 9th March.
“INEC should learn from the challenges faced by adhoc staff particularly NYSC corp members. Their allowances should be paid and proper logistics for transportation and accommodation should be made. We cannot afford to put our corp members in harm’s way.”
The communique was signed by the representatives of The African Renaissance and Global Action Movement (TARGAM), The Confluence Intellectual Development Initiative (CIDI), Greater Kogi Initiative, Hands Across Africa Development Initiative, Kogi Earnest Group, World Institution for Peace (WIP) Kogi state, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and Initiative for Grassroot Advancement (INGRA).
