Off-Cycle Elections: Coalition of CSOs commend INEC’s performance, says we are close to promised land

A group of Civil Society Organizations passionate about engendering a masses-oriented government in Nigeria has scored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) high on the conduct of the Saturday 11th November, 2023 off-season governorship elections in the three states; Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa.

The said group in a jointly signed statement by the Mr. Rasaq olokoba the Chairman Campaign for Dignity In Governance, Comrade Balogun Hameed the Convener of Frontline Socio – Economy Research Centre, Comrade Alex Omotehinse the National President of Centre for Human and Socio-economic Right and Mr. Omotaje Olawale-Saint the Executive Director WorkBond International Network (Win) in consonance with a coalition of nine other CSOs commended INEC for the process which churned out elected governors in the three states, adding that it is a sign that our democratic system of government is getting more matured and acceptable.

While citing the fears of many about the predictions prior its eventual conduct, the group noted that it was not only a huge success, but further raise the bar for the conduct of general polls in the country.

”Our Coalition note with commendation that the election umpire body, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC performed creditably well in the discharge of its duties, functions, and responsibilities. Similarly, the combined, collaborative efforts of various security agencies ensure there was a convivial atmosphere for the conduct of a seamless, free, and fair elections without any apprehension on the security of lives and properties.

“The observations of our members who participated in monitoring of the elections, tallies with the submissions of a credible, continental civic watchdog, YIAGA – Africa. The veritable, civil society body deployed a global, elections monitoring tool to monitor the off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa and it is worth observing that its independent, verifiable assessment, findings, and projections are in sync with the verdicts of the electoral body, INEC in the three States.

“YIAGA – Africa, made use of global standard, “Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) mechanisms to appraise the preparations, organisations, conducts and performance of all relevant social stakeholders in the elections.

“As critical stakeholders and social partners in building an enviable, electoral, democratic, and constitutional heritage for our great country, we recognize the importance of smooth transition reins of governance through regular mandate negotiation as the organic cord for any society to take requisite industrial, technological, and developmental leap.

“We, therefore, see the last elections as a manifest signal of rainbow behind the cloud for our dear nation. We are definite that Nigeria, its people as well as our nascent democratic institutions are beginning to shed our milk teeth, overcome toddling steps in the voyage to orbit global comity of democratic climes.

The Coalition however, cited YIAGA -Africa PRVT thorough monitoring as one that affirms more how well INEC performed in the conduct of the elections, adding that data gathering at the various social strata where elections were conducted reflected and tallies with what INEC eventually gave.

“It is apposite for us to copiously quote the YIAGA -Africa PRVT report where it submits that the outcome of its election monitoring exercise tallies with the results announced by INEC. For instance, in relations to Kogi elections, it stated that “INEC official result for the 2023 Kogi State government elections is consistent with YIAGA – Africa’s WTV estimates (especially it falls within YIAG- Africa WTV estimated range).

“Had the official results been changed at the ward, LGA, or State collation centers, the official results would not have fallen within the YIAGA – Africa WTV estimated ranges”. In this regard, the results as announced, to take a graphic sample showed that ADC has 2.7% as against YIAGA projection of 3.0%; APC – 57.04 (INEC). 53.0% (YIAGA-AFRICA); PDP -5.93 (INEC), 6.1% (YIAGA-AFRICA); SDP – 33.11%, (INEC), 36.7% (YIAGA- AFRICA).
“Obviously, the voice of the people is reflected in the votes of the people, and, inevitably in the choice of the people in the off-season elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States. We join all well-meaning Nigerian patriots to congratulate Governors Hope Uzodinma and Duoye Diri for returning as Governors in Imo and Bayelsa States and felicitates, Usman Ododo as the Governor-Elect of Kogi State.

“The Voice/Votes of the People is the supreme law. It is time to set aside all partisan contentions and face squarely the tasks service to the respective States, communities and peoples.”