CHRCR stresses need for INEC, security agencies to address the negative phenomenon vote buying, selling

The Conscience For Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission,
(INEC), and Security Agencies to address the negative phenomenon of vote buying and selling in Nigeria elections.

This was part of the communique issued at the 1-day townhall meeting at community level on inspiring youth for leadership for kogi west senatorial district organized by the Conscience For Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) at Charvid Hotel , Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area on Wednesday 20th December 2023 Supported By The Nigerian Women Trust Fund and Macauthur Foundation.

In the communique signed by Idris Miliki Abdul, Executive Director,
Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), also said that Political parties must do more to ensure that young persons have leadership roles in the management of the party at all levels

The communique added that there is need for citizens to fight against corruption and encourage Accountability in all spheres of life.

Continuing, the communique said “the constitutional requirement on the age of contest must be amended

“Citizens must desist from participating in vote buying as it disenfranchises them of their right to select those who should lead them and affects development and good governance

“INEC must make concise efforts at monitoring the activities of political parties to ensure financial transparency and accountability

“Government through its agencies such as the National Orientation Agency, and other agencies must make concerted efforts at raising awareness of community persons, especially young persons, on the laws that particularly affect them such as Youth Development Commission Law and the Not Too Young To Run Act

The Town-Hall meeting commended the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) for its continuous efforts at improving youth involvement in democracy in Kogi State. It also appreciated The Nigeria Women Trust Fund and MacArthur Foundation for their support.

The communique in full

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE 1-DAY TOWNHALL MEETING AT COMMUNITY LEVEL ON INSPIRING YOUTH FOR LEADERSHIP FOR KOGI WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT ORGANIZED BY THE CONSCIENCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (CHRCR) AT CHARVID HOTEL , AIYETORO GBEDE, IJUMU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA ON WEDNESDAY 20TH DECEMBER 2023 SUPPORTED BY THE NIGERIAN WOMEN TRUST FUND AND MACAUTHUR FOUNDATION.

The meeting had in attendance representatives of Hunter Associations, Market women Community leaders, and Traditional leaders.

There was paper presentations on Inspiring Youths for Leadership by Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) Idris Miliki Abdul, Challenges of Youth in Attaining Leadership position and the way forward by Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroots Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), Hamza Aliyu, plenary session, Question and Answer session and Communique development and dissemination.

OBSERVATIONS:

The act of voting, especially for young persons, is a crucial role in participation in leadership at community level

That Vote Buying (financial or in kind) was prominent between political party agents and electorates during the 11th November 2023 Governorship elections at grassroots levels

There was crisis and intimidation by party and candidate supporters at some polling units due to late arrival of election materials

The elections was generally peaceful

The implication for vote buying and selling is corruption that leads to poor governance that affects the community persons more

The electorates are also guilty of supporting vote buying by actively “selling” their votes during the elections particularly at grassroots levels

Effective representation should be a good quality for youths in leadership

Young persons have lost hope in governance in Nigeria and are leaving the country in numbers (JAPA phenomenon) due to lack of satisfaction on the outcome of the 2023 elections

There was no young persons that obtained party nominations and became candidates in the 11th November 2023 which is a worrisome development

That despite 18 years being the age of voting by the Nigerian Constitution, the age to contest elective positions in Nigeria is 25 years. This is discriminatory

The “Not Too Young To Run” Law has made attempt at addressing this discrimination. But there are still gaps

There is a wide gap in awareness of community persons on the existence of the Youth Development Commission Law and the Not Too Young To Run Act, which has a significant implication on youth for leadership.

There is corruption and Accountability issues in all areas of our community life including religious, professional and community circles, which has significant negative impact on youths

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The meeting made the following recommendations:

INEC and the Security Agencies need to address the negative phenomenon of vote buying and selling

Political parties must do more to ensure that young persons have leadership roles in the management of the party at all levels

There is need for citizens to fight corruption and encourage Accountability in all spheres of life

The constitutional requirement on the age of contest must be amended

Citizens must desist from participating in vote buying as it disenfranchises them of their right to select those who should lead them and affects development and good governance

INEC must make concise efforts at monitoring the activities of political parties to ensure financial transparency and accountability

Government through its agencies such as the National Orientation Agency, and other agencies must make concerted efforts at raising awareness of community persons, especially young persons, on the laws that particularly affect them such as Youth Development Commission Law and the Not Too Young To Run Act

The Town-Hall meeting commended the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) for its continuous efforts at improving youth involvement in democracy in Kogi State. It also appreciated The Nigeria Women Trust Fund and MacArthur Foundation for their support.

Signed:

Idris Miliki Abdul
Executive Director
Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR)
Lokoja, Kogi State