2023: Don’t disregard agitations in Southeast – UK advises FG
By Felix Oti
Ahead of the 2023 general election in Nigeria, the government of United Kingdom (UK) has advised the Federal government of Nigeria not to disregard the various agitation witnessed in the country if it hopes to have a successful election.
The advice came from Head of Political, British High Commission, Aneesah Islam at a review meeting on peace, security, peaceful election and service delivery project by Justice Development and Peace Caritas, JDPC, Onitsha with support from Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO in Awka.
Islam who warned on the dangers of neglecting the agitations especially in the Southeast urged the President to draw lessons from the numerous successes recorded during in the Anambra state governorship election to guarantee free, fair credible and more peaceful 2023 election.
According to her, “Before the election, there were tensions everywhere. But the election came and was conducted peacefully. If peace is threatened, there would not have been any election.
Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze addressing members
“So the Federal government should resolve all agitations and ensure there is peace before the 2023 election.”
She praised the people of the state and other stakeholders including CSOs for their varying contributions to the peaceful conduct of the election.
Contributing, FCDO, Regional Coordinator Southern Nigeria, Dr Ulachi Roonie, expressed need to return peace, normal business activities in Southeast following the ongoing Monday weekly sit-at-home, adding that the exercise is gradually crippling the economy of the region.
Alzo, JDPC Coordinator for Onitsha, Mr. Alponsus Nwoye and his Monitoring and Evaluation, M&E, counterpart, Cynthia Arinze-Enweonwu, urged political parties to commence training and voter education for their followers so as to improve their service delivery.
However, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and the Social and Integral Development Center, SIDEC expressed dissatisfaction over the continued low turn out of voters witnessed during elections in the state.
