By Williams Odunze
Ahead of the Saturday's governorship election in Imo State, citizens of the state especially eligible voters have been urged to participate actively in the exercise to enable them elect candidate of their choice.
The call was made by a non-governmental organization, and feminist human rights advocacy group, Africa For Alliance, in a media briefing held in Owerri, recently.
AFA, in collaboration with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre,CISLAC, and Mac Arthur Foundation also advocated for full citizenship participations in the nation's political process in order to hold political leaders accountable.
Advertisement:
The group which unveiled its recent survey, titled, 'Imo State Citizens Charter Of Demand', conducted to identify the expectations cum immediate needs of Imo citizens from the government, disclosed that security, economic empowerment and socio-infrastructural development topped the chat.
AfA further disclosed that majority of the respondents demanded for good governance, accountability and transparency in governance as well as opportunity to fully participate in the political process and governance of the country.
The survey further reported that Imo citizens cum electorate have no confidence in electioneering process of the country. Hence, many said they will not participation in the coming election in the state as they believe that their votes will not count.
Advertisement:
However, the research indicated that 53.5% respondents said that they will participate in the election while 69% affirmed that they will not sell their votes.
The report also informed that 45% of respondents identified bad leadership and corruption as the biggest challenges hampering overall development and progress of the country.
Based on the research findings, AfA Executive Director, Ms. Iheoma Obibi advised political candidates in the state to place optimum importance on security devoid of politics, once elected.
Advertisement:
Ms. Obibi also canvassed for employment opportunities for the citizens especially teeming youths in the state, adding that plan should equally be made for food and agriculture development as they play vital roles in the lives of citizens.
Obibi who stressed that economic empowerment of the citizens should be prioritized, opined that, "full implementation of this citizens'charter of demand would actually be the beginning of grassroots and sustainable development in Imo State."
Advertisements:
