By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
A non-governmental organization known as Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, which promotes transparency, accountability, and respect for human right has in the course of seeking for peaceful election visited some political parties in the state.
CISLAC in conjunction with one of their partners; Family Resources Development Motivators, (FARDEM), had an interface with the leadership of the Independent National Election Commission in the state.
This took place on Friday in Owerri the State Capital at the respective offices of the parties and that of INEC in the state.
They were only able to visit two political parties; New Nigerian People's Party (NNPP), and Labour Party (LP), as according to them, it was just the two parties that positively responded to their request for a meeting.
Mr. Okeke Anya representing the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) at the diverse offices of the aforementioned political parties, appreciated the leaders of the party for giving them audience, and made understand that they are meeting with most of the parties in the country, especially the big ones as the centre according to him cannot be able to meet with all them.
He pointed out that the essence of their visit is to ensure that the upcoming election will be free, fair and devoid of violence.
Anya continued, "We want political parties to begin inculcating in their members especially the youths, the need not to allow anyone use them as a tool to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the 2023 election.
"The Sit - at - home issue and other challenges are not going down well with the masses and so should not be escalated with more violent acts.
"We want peace to reign during the election, and pray that the right person that will pilot the affairs of Nigeria will peacefully emerge, 'Anya averred.
He commended the leadership of the parties ones again and wished them all the best in the election.
Responding on behalf of other Executives of the party present, the NNPP Chairman, Chief Sir Mandis Duruimo assured the CISLAC team of being committed to a violence free election, saying that it is part of the mantra they have sworn to uphold in their party.
Also reacting to the request of CISLAC, the Chairman of Labour Party, Dr. Ambrose Onyekwere who noted that the cross of their party manifesto is to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of the people, also assured the team of toeing the same line.
The leadership of the parties further appreciated CISLAC for always choosing to contribute to the progress of the state through their advocacies.
Speaking at the INEC office, the Director of FARDEM, Amb. Rose Olah Nwaogwugwu who stated that it has always being their custom to visit INEC offices during election period, brought to the notice of the INEC officials that they will be training 27 observers for the election and would want them to send one of their Head of Departments to monitor it.
Nwaogwugwu reflected on the need for things to be down orderly and pleaded with the INEC executives to ensure that the materials for the election arrives on time for the process to begin early.
She further averred, "We are here to partner with you and so we are available for you to beckon on us in any way you need our assistance, 'Nwaogwugwu stated.
The Imo State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu assured the team of their request being noted, saying that she will give them all the necessary support and materials they need as observers for the election.
She pointed out that INEC has improved tremendously with it's activities, and so there will not be late transmission of materials for the election.
She also assured them of the credibility of the election, stating that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS is down and will speak for itself.
Also present for the courtesy visit were the CISLAC Manager for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning, Mrs Lovely Gabriel -Agbor; Director of Better Community Life Iniative, Chief Uchegbu Malachy, and Program Officer of FARDEM, Mr. OKechukwu Nwagwu, among others.
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