A non Governmental Organization in Kogi State Challenge Parenthood Initiative, (CPI) has commended electorates, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) over the peaceful conduct of the just concluded Anambra governorship election.
Executive Director of CPI Eunice Abimbola Agbogun in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday lauded the civility of the electorates before, during and after the election.
Agbogun noted that the outcome of the election was a true reflection of the peoples will adding that, the electoral umpire should work on the lapses of the process for future election in the country.
She further commended Anambra people for the wisdom and courage shown in deciding to deploy themselves in a nonviolent manner despite the tension in the build up to the election.
While maintaining that there are essential lessons to be learnt in the just concluded exercise in Anambra State, the CPI Executive Director explained further that, the election has brought hope to the people of Nigeria in respect to the 2023 general election.
Agbogun opined that the entire process demonstrated that elections in Nigerian can be peaceful when all the relevant stakeholders maintain and ensure free and fair conduct.
According to her, it is possible for people to refuse money and vote their conscience despite pressure from fraudulent individuals to subvert the wills of the masses during election.
She observed that the professional conduct of security agencies deployed to the state adding that
persons with disability were not molested when casting their votes.
Continuing, Agbogun said” We celebrate with people of Amambra State for coming out en mass to elect their Governor after such a tensed period. The gubernatorial election was brought to a peaceful, unprecedented outcome.
“With great admiration we note the civility, determination, and orderliness with which Anambra citizens trouped out and lined up to exercise their rights to elect a leader of their choice in line with democratic expectations, an attitude that has restored hope, pride and dignity of our country and made her citizens the admiration of the international community.
“Unarguably, before the election, many people had doubted that the election would hold, let alone peacefully like it turned out. The whole world watched and the people across the country had even seen the election as a litmus test to 2023 general elections.
“It is therefore important that all the relevant stakeholders learn from the Anambra election and improve on existing achievements to ensure free and fair conduct of the next general elections”.
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