By Eric Ojo
Enough is Enough (EiE Nigeria) in partnership with Yiaga Africa, the Electoral College, Election Hub, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and GOAL will host a hybrid event with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu on Saturday in Abuja.
The event which will be held at the Shehu Musa Yar’dua Centre, will provide the electorate the opportunity to discuss the emerging realities of the 2023 elections with the head of the election management body.
“While we collectively work to deepen democracy in Nigeria, overcome the current challenges and improve elections outcomes in the country, INEC has the sole responsibility to organize, undertake and supervise elections for all offices except the local government”, EiE said in a statement made available to the media.
The statement said noted that with the passage of the 2022 Electoral Act, there are new rules for the game and the INEC Chairman will be engaged on the Commission’s commitment and preparedness for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in 2023 and beyond.
Executive Director of Electoral College Nigeria, Kunle Lawal said the path to democracy is paved in participation. “Engagements like this are necessary to entrench the needed politeracy of the electorate so we can solidify the gains on this journey to a better governed nation”, he said.
Similarly, the Executive Director, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Tobi Oluwatola noted that effective liberal democracy requires the participation of the majority of people but also diverse interests that may not be represented by the majority.
“As the electoral umpire, INEC has a role to play to ensure expanded participation especially among youth. This platform provides an opportunity to motivate youth participation”, he added.
While lending his voice to the narrative, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo said in order for elections to be popular and participatory, it is critical that citizens are involved in the entire process, and not just at the point of voting.
“We believe that this event not only provides one more opportunity for INEC and Nigerian citizens to discuss all the issues around the 2023 elections, but also an opportunity for INEC to assure Nigerians of its independence, and preparedness for the 2023 elections”, he further explained.
The conversation, according to the statement, will be moderated by Ebuka Obi-Ochendu, a television host and presenter who has a significant youth following.
EiE is a non-partisan network of individuals and organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through active citizenship. EiE’s #RSVP Campaign – Register | Select | Vote | Protect is Nigeria’s longest running voter education campaign.
Notably, the EiE was an integral part of the #OccupyNigeria movement in 2012 and is very active in the #OpenNASS and #OfficeOftheCitizen campaigns.
Yiaga Africa is a non-profit civic hub of change makers committed to the promotion of democratic governance, human rights and civic engagement.
The Electoral College is a non-partisan/non-governmental initiative of The Emerging Leaders Advancement Forum (TELAF) that is the brainchild of a few young Nigerians that span from politics, patriotism, and development professionals, to everyday Nigerians, born of a void of ideological democracy in Nigeria.
Election Hub (electoralhub.iriad.org) is a multidisciplinary strategic think tank committed to strengthening electoral governance and accountability in Nigeria
The CJID is a non-governmental organization that aims to use human rights law to encourage the government and others to address developmental and human rights challenges such as corruption, poverty, inequality and discrimination.
Goal (adoptagoal.org) is an advocacy hub of socio-political change makers committed to social reengineering of the Nigerian civic space, enduring institutional reforms, strengthening of democratic governance and values, and the defence of human and social justice.