A Civil society organization Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER) has commended and congratulated the good people of Anambra state over the peaceful conduct of the November 6th 2021 gubernatorial election and described the outcome as victory for democracy.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday 10th November 2021, it’s executive director Nelson Ekujumi expressed the organization joy that despite the machinations and plots of anti democratic elements and agents of destabilization to undermine the nation’s democracy through threats and intimidation, the good people of Anambra state came out boldly, peacefully and orderly on election day to exercise their franchise and thus affirm their faith in Nigeria’s democracy which has been deepened by this act of patriotism and nationalism.
The organization is particularly glad that despite the provocation of late arrival of voting materials and the poor functioning of the BVAS technology which marred the smooth and timely conduct of the election, the people still remained peaceful and orderly in exercising their franchise which is highly commendable.
The Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER) commended the media for it’s frontline role in mobilizing the electorate to come out and vote before and even during the election as well as for it’s professional and unbiased reportage and coverage of the election. According to the organization, “Once again, the media stood tall as an invaluable contributor and pillar of Nigeria’s democracy and society”.
Local and international observers were commended for their professionalism and objectivity which contributed in no small way to the successful conduct of the Anambra state gubernatorial election.
The organization also commended the security agencies for their diligence and patriotism in providing world class security through high tech deployment of men and materials which ensured that the people came out to exercise their franchise and contributed to the peaceful and successful conduct of the election.
However, the Centre frowned at the poor logistics in the distribution of men and materials by INEC which marred the smooth and timely conduct of the election and has remained an albatross of the electoral body at every election, according to Nelson Ekujumi, “We must express our disappointment with the shoddy logistics arrangement of INEC which contributed to the extension of the election of November 6 to November 9th 2021 when it was concluded”. The organization called on INEC to wake up from it’s perpetual logistics slumber and prevent a reoccurrence of this show of shame in future elections.
The organization also condemned the malfunctioning of the BVAS system on election day and termed the reasons given for the shortcomings of the system as unacceptable in view of the fact that INEC had more than enough time to prepare for this isolated election in just a state out of the 36 states in Nigeria. It warned that it hoped that INEC had learnt it’s lessons from the Anambra state exercise and would go back to the drawing board to assess it’s performance with a view to improving on areas of lapses for remarkable performance in future elections.
The Centre for Social and Economic Rights (CSER) congratulated Prof Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) on his victory at the polls which is reflection of the peoples votes and urged him to be magnanimous in victory by rallying other contestants and Ndi Anambra as a whole to see his electoral triumph not as a personal one, but victory for democracy in which all hands must be on deck to move the state forward for the collective good.
CSER also commended all the political parties, candidates and agents who took part in the election for their role in deepening Nigeria’s democracy and call on them to continue to keep faith with the process which is the only legitimate means to political power for the good of the people.
The Civil society organization, then wished the good people of Anambra state, a peaceful and prosperous period under the Governor elect when he is eventually sworn into office and call on him to ensure that he delivers on his campaign promises to the people.
God bless Anambra State,
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Nelson Ekujumi,
Executive Director.
