A University don, Dr Henry Duru, has blamed voter apathy on long history of poor governance and bad leadership.
Duru, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, disclosed this in Awka during a brainstorming meeting organized for stakeholders by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) in partnership with the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC).
The event is part of activities under the Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Governance Process, (STAGE 2 Project) themed ‘Reignite the voice: Mobilizing for electoral participation.
Duru observed that most voters have lost interest in elections because some of those voted into power failed to fulfil their campaign promises.
He listed other factors fueling voter apathy to include: lack of trust in the electoral processes, electoral violence and insecurity as well as inefficiency in the electoral process.
“All these should be tackled through increased voter education with emphasis on voter apathy as well as harnessing the persuasive power of grassroot institutions.
He stressed the need to promote responsible electioneering communication, and rejig election security architecture.
Critical time in Anambra
In a welcome address, the President, International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre, (IPCRC), Prince Chris Azor explained the necessity of the brainstorming session at a time Anambra faces a critical time to decide its fate for the next four years.
“As implementing partners, Centre-LSD and IPCRC will continue to build capacities of the stakeholders as well as support every action to strengthening citizen participation, promote good governance, transparency and accountability especially at the state and local government levels.
“This brainstorming session was called to help us dissect the root causes of voter apathy and tackle it head-on. I commend the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room and FCDO for supporting the intervention.”
He charged all stakeholders to play their parts in ensuring that the forthcoming gubernatorial election is free, fair, credible and peaceful. “Encourage our people to come out because their votes will count.”
He explained what the partners are doing concerning local government administration. “The local government is the closest tier of government to the people. We understand this that was why we promoted it in our stage I and this contributed to conduct of Local Government election in Anambra State after ten years.
“We are not relenting. We will continue to build the capacities of people at the grassroots to support in promoting good governance, democracy and accountability,” he added.
Vehicle of democracy
In his opening speech, the Executive Director, Centre LSD, Mr Monday Osasah, described election as a vehicle that drive democracy.
“There will be no democracy without elections. However, people must be allowed to make their choices freely without inducement or coercion. Remember that power belongs to the people.
“After this event, let u go out and implement our resolutions towards a peaceful governorship election in Anambra state next week.
In their separate contributions, representative of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kingsley Egwumba, and the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Edozie Ajaegbu, represented Mr Tagbo Igboka, and the Managing Director, Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife, threw their weight behind the campaign to end voter apathy in the state.
Also, the Vice Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Omasi, Igwe Benjamin Okeji, the Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIFA), Barr. Amara Muojeke, and State Secretary, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Uzochukwu Eminent agreed to mobilize larger voters’ turnout from communities, women and youth groups as well as party members.
“The INEC has assured us that the election will be credible. I can assure you that we, political parties are not going to relent in our duty towards a successful election.
Promise of support
Other participants, including women leaders, traders, civil society members, religious leaders, media, security officers and scholars, pledged to contribute in various ways to build the public trust to increase citizens participation in electoral processes.
Stakeholders including security officers, religious institutions, media, civil society members, youth, traders, women and others, pledged their readiness to resist vote buying on election day.
They said with adequate security and compliance to the electoral guidelines on the part of all stakeholders, the election would be free, fair and credible.
Participants also condemned vote buying urging residents not to sell their future because of the token they will get on election day.
