Anambra Stakeholders unveil strategies to prevent Voter Apathy on November 8 guber poll

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu 

Stakeholders in Anambra State, on Thursday, agreed in unionism to promote actions and programmes geared towards ensuring that the November 8 governorship poll records massive turnout of voters unlike in the past.

 According to them, voter apathy which has affected electoral system in the State badly would be contained through increased and constant community based voter education campaign, including the markets, homes, streets, mass media, as well as strengthening electoral security and good governance.

They spoke at stakeholders brainstorming meeting organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) in partnership with the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), the implementers of 'Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Governance Process' (STAGE 2 project) themed 'reignite the voice: mobilising for electoral participation.'

Other issues hindering electoral processes as observed by the stakeholders were vote buying and selling, poor women and PWDs participation in politics and electoral processes, insecurity and management of electoral logistics, which they all agreed to contain through continuous civic education, youth mobilisation and sustainable engagements with various stakeholders.

The President, IPCRC, Prince Chris Azor, in an address, identified strong local government system as another channel to stop voter apathy, noting that allowing the third tier of government to enjoy full autonomy would not only entrench democracy but further broaden the scope of development and lessen the burden of voters education because people would feel the impact and support actions to promote or sustain it. 

Azor, who explained that the brainstorming was necessary for all to identify the root cause of voter apathy and tackle it headon, re-assured that the team implementing the project would continue to build capacities of the stakeholders as well as support every action to strengthening citizen participation, promote good governance, transparency and accountability.

He also commended the Nigerian Civil Society Situationroom and FCDO for supporting the intervention and urged the stakeholders to be committed to their actions so as to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible, while recording improved voters turnout because people votes would counts. 

"The local government is the closet tier of government to the people. We understand this that was why we promoted it in our stage I and this contributed to conduct of Local Government election in Anambra State after ten years. We are not relenting. We will continue to build the capacities of people at the grassroots to support in promoting good governance, democracy and accountability," he added.

In a welcome address, the Executive Director, Centre LSD, Mr Monday Osasah, described election as a vehicle that drive democracy to massive development legitimately, and urged stakeholders to support it to work by implementing the outcome of the event, which according to him, would strengthening democracy, improve electoral participation and integrity in Nigeria and beyond.

Also speaking, the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, represented by Comrade Kingsley Egwumba, posited that improve masses access to justice, INEC commitment to transparency and accountability, and timely availablity of functional voting materials would help to stem the tide.

Contributing, the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Edozie Ajaegbu, represented Mr Tagbo Igboka, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife reassured their readiness to sustain voter education and moral building among the youth and older generations through streets to streets and community engagements.

In their respective contributions, the representative of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and Traditional Ruler of Omasi, Ayamelum Local Government Area (LGA), Igwe Benjamin Okeji, the Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIFA), Barr. Amara Muojeke, and State Secretary, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Hon. Uzochukwu Eminent agreed to mobilise larger voters turnout from communities, women and party members.

"The INEC has assured us that the election will be credible. You have also encouraged us to come out and vote that our votes would count. I thank you for this. I can assure you that we, political parties are not going to relent in our duty. It is our duty to sensitise our party members and other Anambrarians to come out and vote not minding the barriers," Eminent stated.

Other participants, including women leaders, traders, civil society members, religious leaders, media, security officers and scholars, while observing that voter apathy was largely caused by mistrust in the electoral system, insecurity, bad leadership and vote buying, pledged to contribute in various ways to build the public trust to increase citizens participation in electoral processes.

Earlier in a keynote address, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr Henry Duru enumerated reasons behind voter apathy to include lack of trust in the electoral processes, poor performance of elected leaders, electoral violence and insecurity, and inefficiency in the electoral process. 

Duru further listed sustainable ways out of the challenges as increased voter education with emphasis on voter apathy, need to harness the persuasive power of grassroot institutions, promotion of responsible electioneering communication, and rejigging of election security architecture.