By Emeka Samuel, Uyo
Few days to the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Akwa Ibom, stakeholders have called for a level playing field for all the political parties taking part in the election.
This is even as a Civil Society Organisation, Centre for Human Rights Accountability Network, (CHRAN) has extracted commitments from the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC), Security agencies and the media for a peaceful, credible, free and fair elections in the state.
The stakeholders made the call during a critical engagement tagged “Towards a Free, Fair and Credible 2024 Local Government Election in Akwa Ibom State,” organised by CHRAN in collaboration with AKISIEC in Uyo.
Keynote speaker at the event and Deputy Chief of Staff to Senate President, Mr Saviour Enyiekere appealed to the election commission to be fair to all the political parties and candidates.
Enyiekere, a member of the All Progressives Congress, also urged AKISIEC to ensure the outcome of the election is fair and credible.
Representatives of AKISIEC Chairman, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak promised a fair playing field for all parties and urged all the candidates to intensify their campaigns within the stipulated time
“All the political parties will be given a fair playing field but it’s incumbent on the parties and candidates to do their campaigns from now till 3rd of October. By Fifth we have our elections.”
CHRAN Director, Mr Franklyn Isong said the essence of the event was for the CSO to take active part in the process of good governance by bringing all the relevant stakeholders together on a table including the 12 political parties that would take part in the elections.
Isong said there was need for good governance at the grassroots especially now the Federal government has granted financial autonomy to them urging the people to ensure they go for credible candidates and AKISIEC as well should be fair to all parties.
“As CSO, we are concerned about the process of good governance that is why we are bringing all the stakeholders, security agencies and the 12 political parties to a round table.
“Of course more funds will be given to local government chairmen following financial autonomy granted by president Bola Tinubu and the Attorney general, that is why you see even commissioners resigning to vie for local government seats because more funds are coming. We need to put more attention to local government so that pressure on the state will be reduced.”
Chairman on the Occasion, Usenobong Akpabio in an interview said until there is electoral Independence at the local level, financial autonomy may not be totally whole noting that the forthcoming election in the state would still be business as usual.
“I see this election as normal and usual. The state is equipping its party, PDP for the election and other opposition parties are just there. I believe that someday we are going to have electoral body that is state based. Once there is electoral autonomy, everything will be okay; people should start holding their local government chairmen accountable,” he said.
Oh her part, Obonganwan Dora Ebong, Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom at the Federal Character Commission urged the electorates to look out for good candidates and not the political party they belong stressing that anyone whose ambition infringes on other people’s toes and sensibility was just for just there for his personal and selfish gain.
Ebong noted that the peace of Akwa Ibom heavily lies on AKISIEC and urged them not to take it for granted and do the right thing.
“The peace of this state is in the hands of AKISIEC, they should do the right thing, not when you stay in your polling unit till evening and you don’t see even a single ballot paper and little time you heard them announce result.”
Meanwhile CHRAN has said the peace accord would be signed at AKISIEC office when all the 12 political parties and their candidates would be present.
