US Consul General holds engagement program with NGOs

United States of America Consul General in Nigeria, William B. Stevens held a civic engagement with non governmental organizations and civil society partners on the realities of the forthcoming presidential election in Anambra State.

Odogwublog.com reports that the event was held at the Awka Window on America, Center for Migration Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka,

Mr. Stevens while interacting with the stakeholders explained that the United States of America is interested in ensuring free, fair and credible election is held come February 25, 2023 expressing concern that failure to conduct a credible election might lead to post election violence of monumental proportion.

Also speaking at the round table discussion the Political and Economic Section Chief of United States Consulate General, Lagos, Mr. Michael Ervin, said that the fact finding mission in Anambra State was to know the realities on ground especially given the security situation in the State in order that his home country, the United States of America, will not be taken by surprised.

In his submission, Prof. Chukwuemeka Nwanegbo of Department of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said that the overflow of the consequences of failure of the election will be so much if the security situation is not tackled before and after the election. Migration, economic and political consequences for Africa and the world at large will be huge, he added. He pointed out that political consequences of elections rigging and allowing APC card carrying agents of government to become electoral officers that would manage the elections would have dare consequences.

Most posts online are meant to intill fear. Most agitators are ready to vote. Bad eggs and the ones agitating in a good way. Ipob factions. For the group that wants the election consequences of the result of it doesn’t favour them. Partner with stakeholders for peaceful election. All hands to be on deck before during and after election. More collaboration.

Mrs. Eucharia Anekwe of YIAGA Africa and Stop Vawip Partner, a Non Governmental Organization said her organisation has been engaging observers and electorates on the need to hold a peaceful poll. She however regretted that despite their efforts, it’s still difficult to engage observers in Ihiala and Azia axis under Ihiala Local government area and other areas that have been taken over by unknown gun men. In her words “Women still coming out to sensitize women. Nwanyibuife (a women group that’s supports women in politics) support their fellow women in politics but there is palpable fear about the outcome of the election. What if the person they are supporting does not win? She also added that the decision of INEC to use their staff as Returning Officers is questionable and may lead to voter apathy.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu averred that traditional rulers and communities leaders should support the efforts of security agencies and government to provide security during election. Dr. Odogwu who was represented at the occasion by Kasie Abone of Thisday Newspapers, averred that unlike the last gubernatorial election in the state where security men were drawn from all over the country to provide security during the election which led to peaceful election conduct, this time the state would not enjoy such privilege as all the states in the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja are conducting elections same time. Abone added that though journalists in the state are free to report their stories, they are still cautious with their reportage.

On the threat of IPOB and other Biafra agitators on the election Abone stated that not all agitators are threatening peaceful polls, that some of them who believe in political solution to the problem of marginalisation are ready to vote. She noted that although IPOB has said they will not participate in the election, but are committed to peaceful non violent agitation. However, she was quick to add that a faction of IPOB led by Finland based Simon Ekpa and other criminals masquerading as unknown gun men are putting fears into the electorates by releasing videos threatening voters, burning down INEC offices and kidnapping for ransom and rituals purposes

Bob Manuel Udokwu who spoke on behalf of the state government explained efforts the Soludo led administration is putting towards security the state during and after election. Udokwu who is the Special Adviser to Anambra State government on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism, assured that the state government is ready to secure election materials and Anambra State citizens to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election.

The discussants agreed that all hands must be on deck during and after the election to ensure a peaceful poll as well as checkmate post election violence in the state as failure to do so would have dare consequences of unimaginable proportion.

Present at the occasion was Prof. Ike Odimegwu. Director Awka Window on America, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and his Deputy Director, Dr. Martha Egenti.

Other discussants at the Roundtable on the forthcoming Nigerian elections Okoye Nkiruka of INTACOM Africa, Engr. Aniebue Anthony of Society for Sustainable Development, Mr. Nonso Orakwe of CATYCOI, VNF Partner, Mr. Okey Onyeka of Civil Rights Concern and Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze of DeCODE.