CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Civil Liberties Organisation, (CLO) Anambra State chapter, has called the on the State Assembly to expedite action by mobilizing the citizens of the State on the importance of voters registration exercise going on across the nation for full participation.
P.M.EXPRESS reports as stated by the group in their release tagged “Politics drives socioeconomic status of every nation” signed by their Chairman, Comrades Vincent Ezekwueme, Chidi Mbah and Hyginus Udensi, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer respectively. The group lamented the lukewarm attitude of the citizenry in the electoral process due to ignorance, wrong information and misconception.
“The State House of Assembly members should take urgent and immediate steps toward mobilization and education of citizens for active participation, especially the grassroots and rural dwellers.”
“They should come out of their comfort zones; go to their respective constituencies, hold town hall meetings with traditional, religious, civil society organizations, markets leaders and citizens to educate them on the ineluctable and inexorable need to obtain their PVC which is the inevitable foundation of democracy. Without permanent voters card, ballot box revolution will be a mirage, because it is only those with voters card that can vote and decide our leaders.”
The group also stated that it was of prime importance for the legislators to empower and encourage Professor Charles Soludo to reconstitute the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission to enable them commence process towards conduct of credible, free, fair and generally acceptable Local Government election in the state.
“It is incredible but existential reality that Anambra State is the only state in federation that has conducted Local Government election once since inception of current democratic dispensation in 1999.”
“The first and only local election was conducted in January 2014 by former governor, Peter Obi. The best and greatest democratic dividends Gov Charles Soludo and Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly will bequeath to the state and posterity is democratisation of Local Government system, which is in tandem with our constitution and landmark Supreme Court judgement that transition or caretaker committee is alien to our constitution.
Pertinently, since January 2016 when the tenure of Local Government officials elapsed, CLO has constantly and patriotically be in the vanguard agitating and demanding for conduct of Local Government election in the state. It will bring governance nearer to the people, improve political participation, grassroots mobilization, harnessing of natural resources and comparative advantage.
There is no doubt in our mind that Gov Soludo and Members of the State House Of Assembly, as products and beneficiaries of democratic process, will certainly do the needful and ensure prompt conduct of credible Local Government election, which is one of his salient campaign promise to Anambrarians.”
“Similarly, we calls on political office holders seeking reelection to give account of their stewardship to enable electorate to access their performances in order to either renew their mandate or withdraw their mandate during next year general elections.”
“The current ballot box revolution will be used by the electorate, who are kings and masters, to retire politicians that remember citizens and their constituencies only during elections, and after election they disappear, only to reappear during next elections with emergency empowerments. Whereas those seeking their first elective offices should as well tell citizens what they have done, contributed towards common good and intends to do and achieved if elected.”
“Significantly, in order to right the wrongs of the society, citizens must vote with their conscience and conviction devoid of monetary inducements, nepotism, tribal or religious sentiment.”
“We appeal to Gov Soludo to expedite actions towards rehabilitation of decrepit and deplorable roads in the state, especially 3-3 Nkwelle-Otuocha, Niger Street, Bida, Ziks Avenue, Ochanja Roundabout, Ichida_Igboukwu, Ugwuakwu-Ibughubu-Umuchu Roads, which deserved urgent palliative measures and government attention.”
“Similarly, the recent urban renewal initiative and removal of illegal structures on the drainage channels is a step in the right direction, but should be giving a human face with civility, decorum, love and respect for citizens” the CLO concluded.