As citizens in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi exercise their civic duties tomorrow, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has called on security agencies to exhibit professionalism and non-partisanship in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The call is conveyed in a statement signed by Professor Adele Jinadu, Chairman of the CDD Election Analysis Center, shared with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
During a media briefing, Funke Baruwa, reading the text, expressed optimism that the deployment of election materials will be prompt, while hoping that technological glitches observed in the February elections will be addressed.
The CDD also urges political parties, politicians, media houses, and citizens to refrain from divisive utterances and statements that could undermine the electoral process.
“These elections follow recent judicial pronouncements that have altered the nature of the campaign cycle,” Baruwa added.
She highlighted rulings that reinstated Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator representing Kogi Central, reinstated Timipre Sylva as the APC governorship nominee in Bayelsa, and confirmed Athan Achonu as the Labour Party governorship nominee in Imo, emphasizing the growing influence of the judiciary in the electoral process.
“We are hopeful that political parties and citizens see this as a call to eschew violence and revert to legal and established adjudication processes in resolving post-election conflicts.”
Baruwa concluded by stating, “We hope that proactive communication from all electoral stakeholders will avert any form of voter apathy or suppression, ensuring that we can review and report on a milestone in our march toward a more representative and peaceful democracy in Nigeria.”
