The Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) says over eighty percent (80%) of Nigerians don’t have copy and don’t have the knowledge of the reformed Independent National Electoral Commission INEC’s reformed electoral act.
The Executive Director of PAACA Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu disclosed this at a One-day citizen town hall meeting on electoral reform organized by PAACA, MacArthur foundation and PLAC held in Kano on Wednesday.
According to him, the meeting is aimed at improving the level of awareness to elections guidelines, electoral process, elections act and well as full understanding of electoral framework.
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“We have gone to different state in the country, and I can tell you 80% to 90% of the people we have engaged don’t have the knowledge or the copy of this document, Yesterday we have 30 journalist in the room, and we have asked them who have copy of the electoral act, and only 2 have either hard or soft copy or have full understanding of the act, and you should know that election is law guided process, and with this we have huge gap that needs to be covers,” the executive director said.
“Our meeting here engages traditional rulers, Religious leaders, INEC, Civil Society Organizations, Media, Politicians, Security agencies to see how we can sensitize the general public on does and don’t of elections between now and 2027 general elections, and I can tell you we have a lot of improvement, journalist and other stakeholders were engaged and their inputs is quite commendable” said Ezenwa.
He then urged stakeholders and the general public to look for the electoral act document and study it, so that they will have full understanding of electoral framework in the country.
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In a remark, the Kano state commissioner of Police CP Muhammad Usaini Gumel urged sister security agencies in Kano and Nationwide to ensure neutrality, professionalism before, during and after any elections in Nigeria adding that security agencies always play crucial role in ensuring free, fair and credible poll.
He said invited stakeholders have crucial role to play as they represent different organizations ranging from security, Media, traditional rulers, religious leader, urging all stakeholders to put the interest of the public first ahead of any opinion.
Also contributing, Maijidda Dalha Inuwa, an assistant director at Kano state National Orientation agency (NOA) says their contributions cantered on enlightenment, education as well as informing the general public on their mandate and responsibilities in any elections process.
Mrs Maijidda Dalha outlined poverty and corruption as central backbone of any election violence, political thuggery which led to election’s nullification and cancellation.
She urged politicians and other actors to desists from engaging or sponsoring of political thuggery so as democracy will be given a greater chance to prevail.
The town hall meeting has in attendance, religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations and the journalist.