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Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has noted that strict adherence to electoral rules by institutions was the only way to achieve free, fair and credible elections next month.
Kogi state chairman of the Union, Comrade Momohjimoh Adeiza, noted this at a one-day community dialogue on anti-corruption, transparency and accountability, organised by the Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, in partnership with the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, with support of Mac Arthur Foundation in Lokoja on Friday.
He charged INEC and the security agencies to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring free, fair and credible 2019 elections.
Comrade Adeiza warned Nigerians against violating the electoral guidelines for during the elections, stressing that the impartiality of INEC and security agencies “is crucial to the success of the elections as the world is watching with keen interest.”
The NUJ chairman called for strict adherence to the rules, saying doing otherwise by the principal institutions charged with the conduct of the polls would certainly lead to public outcry, break down of law and order.
Also speaking at the dialogue session, Gift Omoniwa, representing the civil society organisations, pointed out that “promoting accountability and transparency in electoral process is a major determinant to ensuring a credible election.”
Mrs. Omoniwa encouraged women to “actively get involved in political activities” and advised them against selling their votes “in exchange for salts, magi cubes and other items that cannot effect positive change in their lives.”
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Idris Miliki, said the dialogue session was aimed at equipping the electorate, the civil society and the media on electoral rules.
This, according to him, is “to enable them engage INEC and security officials on the need to follow the laid down electoral guidelines to enable them to ask the right questions.”
Miliki appealed to the media, civil society organisations, and community leaders to help project the do and don’ts guiding the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
