Chinedum Elekwachi
The Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) has assured its preparedness to partner with the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure Anambra governorship election was free, fair, transparent and credible.
Executive Director, Nonso Orakwe who disclosed this during courtesy visit to the headquarters of both agencies in Awka said the engagement was to strengthen collaboration with security agencies in promoting inclusive and credible elections.
According to him, the partnership was crucial following growing concerns of potential electoral violence, urging security agencies to ensure protection of both electoral materials and the electorate before, during and after the poll.
He said, “The initiative is part of CATYCOI’s broader youth-led advocacy for electoral reforms in line with the ongoing constitutional amendment process and the need to safeguard democratic governance in Nigeria.
“We seek collaboration with the Police and the NSCDC to enhance civic participation and ensure security during the election.
“Our goal is to promote good governance, voter education, and inclusiveness throughout the electoral process.”
Optimism about professionalism
While commending the police for their professionalism in previous elections, Orakwe expressed confidence that they would replicate and improve upon such performance in the November 8 exercise.
“We are advocating and hoping that the Police and other security agencies will ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent election devoid of violence,” he added.
Responding on behalf of Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, Police Spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, commended CATYCOI for its advocacy towards peaceful and credible elections.
Ikenga noted that while such initiatives were commendable, advocacy for peaceful elections should ideally begin long before the election year to have wider impact and deeper community penetration.
“This kind of advocacy should have started much earlier so that the message would have reached every part of the state. Our biggest challenge remains voter apathy. People must be encouraged to participate actively in the process,” he said.
Responding on behalf of State Commandant, NSCDC, Mr. Maku Olatunde, Deputy Commandant PN Ukaobi pledged the Corps’ readiness to partner with CATYCOI and other civic organizations to promote credible elections.
She lamented the low voter turnout observed in previous elections, noting that despite government’s heavy financial investment in the electoral process, public confidence had remained low.
“NSCDC will continue to engage with civic groups and stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral environment,” she added.
