By David Lawan
The Supervising National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education Committee, of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Festus Okoye Esq have assured the Anambra State voters and stakeholders stating 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 gave these remarks during the stakeholders meeting in Anambra as part of efforts to finetune preparations for the Governorship election scheduled for 6th November 2021.
He said even when the global pandemic was preventing other countries from proceeding with their activities the Commission was still able to conduct Ondo and Edo elections and the process was adjured the best.
According to him: ” 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.
Okoye 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.
He 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.
“On behalf of the support National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State and all the staff of the Commission that is responsible for the conduct of the election, we assure the Chairman and all the stakeholders of our resolve and determination to conduct the free, fair and acceptable election.
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“The Anambra Governorship election has its own unique features and characteristics. It is being conducted in difficult circumstances. The election will further test the resilience of our democracy and democratic institutions. It will test our determination and resolve to conduct elections in difficult circumstances.
“There is no doubt that democracy is not a finished product but a work in progress. We believe that it is in the interest of our democracy, the interest of the people of Anambra State, and in the interest of the people of Nigeria to conduct an acceptable election in Anambra State”, he added.
The meeting had in attendance representatives of political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, religious leaders, and others.
