Kogi 2023 Guber: CSO organises post election review meeting in readiness for Kogi November election.
IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA.
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), The Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, last week organized a post election review meeting in readiness for the November 2023 Kogi Governorship election.
The review of the 2023 general elections was to ascertain the extent and effects of anti corruption and accountability in the conduct of the election as witnessed by observers, politicians and other relevant organizations.
As the November Governorship election in Kogi gets closer tension and apprehensions continue to mount as political parties and their candidates have commenced in warrantied attacks that has claimed lives and properties
As part of the CHRCR continuation of the engagement on prioritizing fight against corruption and ensure accountability during and after election, it became imperative for citizens and political parties to be sensitized towards the 2023 Governorship election in Kogi State.
After plenary session of the meeting on the aftermath of the general elections, a communique was issued .
It was observed that there was total lack of commitment by Political parties and their Candidates during the last 2023 general elections to checkmate Corruption and to ensure that electoral managers were held accountable.
It is unfortunate that despite the numerous engagements by Civil Society Organizations with political parties towards the 2023 general election, there has not been any documentary evidence from political parties and their candidates to show commitment to the mobilization of the citizens towards Anti-Corruption and Accountability fight
The meeting decried the poor inclusiveness of women in the last 2023 general election as candidates, thereby marginalizing them in leadership positions at both party and elective position.
The communique blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and political parties for the voters apathy during the last general elections,due largely to poor voters education, as well as the ebbed confidence in the electoral process.
The opposition political parties are not doing enough to hold the ruling party accountable
Though the State Legislative arm of government plays a critical role in anti-Corruption and accountability, the Kogi State House of Assembly has not been effective in its constitutional role of oversight
It was also observed that the general insecurity environment proceeding the elections has become a cause of worry that could lead to voter apathy on election day.
After extensive deliberations, participants and the Civil Society Organisation resolved that there is need to encourage more women to participate in political party activities making them emerge as Candidates at all levels.
That the opposition political parties should perform their functions of holding the ruling party accountable
IPAC should reorganize and re-energize their activities towards performing its roles of holding its members accountable so as to strengthened internal democracy by collaborating with Civil Society Organizations and other relevant stakeholders during primaries and other party activities.
Political parties and their Candidates need to include anti-corruption transparency and accountability in their campaign activities and manifestos
Hate speech, inflammatory utterances and unguided statements by political party members, candidates and their supporters should be checked by Security Agencies and INEC and those found wanting should be prosecuted
Security agencies must be proactive in addressing perceived and real insecurity issues in Kogi State to ensure a free, fair and credible elections and encourage citizens participation and confidence.
Participants appreciated the continuous engagement of CHRCR and Political Parties in the State, with the collaboration of CISLAC and support of MacArthur Foundation.
