The Civil Liberties Organisation, Anambra State chapter, has condemned with outright disdain and nonchalant attitude of the people in the South-East towards the continuous voter registration exercise.
The group, in a press statement on Thursday, blamed the failure by various political groups, religious bodies, traditional societies, markets and rights leaders to mobilize and educate the citizenry towards the consciousness of such exercise.
The statement, jointly signed by the chairman, secretary and treasurer, Comrades Vincent Ezekwueme, Chidi Mbah, and Udensi Hyginus Chinedu, respectively, said the South-East region had failed to use the rare opportunity provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s ongoing continuous voters registration exercise on the inevitable and indispensable need to obtain their voter’s card in order to qualify to participate in the 2023 general elections.
The statement read in part, “Let us not marginalise ourselves. It is an existential reality that the South-East is the least registered zone in the country.
“Worthy of note is that the race for the 2023 presidential election has begun and politics is a game of number. It is pertinent to note that for us to actualise the much needed but elusive Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, we must influence every adult in the region to obtain and secure their voter’s card as a veritable weapon to enthrone good governance and dethroned bad leadership.
“Indifference attitude of southeastern states reached its apogee during the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra State in which less than 20 per cent of registered voters cast their votes.
“Unfortunately, the political parties, politicians and stakeholders feel unconcerned and comfortable. We passionately appeal to them to come out from their comfort zones and go to their respective families, constituencies, senatorial zones and electoral wards to enlighten and mobilise citizenry and residents to obtain their voter’s card, for without voter’s card, one will not only be a docile follower but a threat to good governance and our political evolution.
“INEC, National Orientation Agency should carry aggressive enlightenment campaign to ensure that all adults suffrage registered and registration process and collection of voters card should be made less cumbersome.
“[The] CLO reiterates its earlier calls on major political parties to zone their presidential candidates to the South-East in the spirit of justice, equity, morality, egalitarianism and good conscience.”
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
