The on-going scripts
playing out in the build up to the Anambra State Gubernatorial Election holding
on November 16, 2013 is a serious concern to us as an organisation.
The election is no doubt
a litmus test to the 2015 General Elections in the country as many believes
that its free, fear and credible conduct would have significant impact in the
2015 elections.
Democratic governance is
a concept that emanated from the principles based on the understanding that an
effective and efficient system of democratic governance is one which is based
on representative, equitable, transparent and inclusive institutions; a
vibrant, responsible and capable Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and a
dynamic media which is engaged in the political process.
However, the barbaric
and unconstitutional arrest of about 180 Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) accredited observers at the Disney Hotels, Km 4,
Owerri-Onitsha road, Owerri, Imo State and the verifiable allegation of
Elombah.com and Transform Nigeria Citizens Initiative (TNCI) operatives
uncovering massive Voters Cards printing in Awka, Anambra State capital
contracted to some business centres by the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party
(PDP) coupled with massive mobilisation of security agents by the government
are obvious threats to the conduct of the election.
Christian Foundation for
Social Justice and Equity condemns in totality the acts of arrest, detention,
intimidation and harassment of accredited election observers and electorates in
Anambra State and calls for immediate release of the detained observers.
We call on the
Independent National Electoral Commission to as a matter of urgency beef up
security around election materials to forestall any manipulation and ensure
that it conducts free, fair and credible election that will become a reference
point in Nigerian election history.
We implore the security
agents to be neutral, objective and impartial in carrying out their lawful
assignments as the success of the election heavily lies in their conducts
before, during and after the election and stop harassing the electorates. We
urge political parties and every stakeholder in the election to maintain the
tenets of democracy and caution their supporters against any act of violence in
any shape or form.
Lastly, we urge the
electorates to peacefully go out and cast their votes according to the dictates
of their conscience and protect their mandate.
Signed
Jide
Afolabi
Director
Christian Foundation for
Social Justice and Equity (CFSJE) ,
08032520081
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