Edo Correspondents Chapel Symposium: Stakeholders call for credible election as panacea for democratic growth
ABIODUN JIMOH, BENIN CITY
Stakeholders in Edo State have insisted that only free air and credible elections were the necessary ingredients that can guarantee vibrant and acceptable democratic growth in Nigeria.
This was contained in a communiqué issued by the stakeholders at the end of a symposium organized by Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ,) Edo State Council held in Benin and signed by Messers Kevin Okunzua and Ofure Osehobo, on Tuesday with the “The Role of INEC, Politicians and Stakeholders in Credible Election,”
In attendance at the symposium included the representatives of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), traditional rulers, civil society groups, the media and relevant groups.
The stakeholders however frowned at the conspicuous absence of INEC and security agencies from the event in spite of being critical stakeholders in electoral process in the world
The stakeholders advised the government to ensure and guarantee economic independence of its citizenry to discourage voter apathy and vote buying mentality among electorate.
It said: “That INEC and Security agencies must assert their independence to restore and sustain the confidence of the electorate and the international community.
“That political parties should promote internal democracy to discourage party hopping, money politics and thuggery
“That there should be constant and sustained political engagement via enlightenment of the public by the media, INEC and relevant stakeholders for the sustenance of true democratic growth
“That media practitioners should avoid partisanship and stick to their avowed responsibilities as enshrined and guaranteed by the constitution
“That politicians and relevant stakeholders should at all time engage in issue based discussions and refrain from making inflammatory remarks.
“That INEC leadership must ensure it properly trains its staff ahead of any election and should have handy, functional equipment to prosecute its mandate as an electoral umpire
The stakeholders advised politicians to learn to be good sportsmen and develop attitude to accept defeat in good faith.
They called on Nigerian Youths to properly prepare themselves to take leadership positions and learn to avoid to accept cheap crumbs from politicians. Also, they called on government to strive to eliminate hunger from the land and encourage food subsidy for its citizenry
