THE NATIONAL PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT (NAPAD) has called on called on INEC to conduct state elections before federal elections.
The statement from the NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE 2022 was delivered to Nation News Lead on Wednesday 2nd November 2022 calling on INEC to adjust the 2023 electoral sequence in favour of State elections.
Said:
The widespread voter apathy in Nigeria, where less than 40% of all the registered voters participate in the various elections can be attributable to the Top – Bottom Electoral Process that gives precedence to the Presidential and National Assembly polls. The subsequent gubernatorial and State Assembly elections are thus relegated to the background giving rise to what may be referred to as voters’ fatigue.
From our vast experiences as a grassroots oriented Citizens Group with well-established track records in election monitoring and observation, we can safely argue that most Nigerian electorates especially at the grassroots are, by and large, alienated from the Presidential candidates compared to those aspiring for gubernatorial and State legislative contests who are the considered “sons of the soil”.
It is therefore posited that reordering the current sequence of elections to bring the gubernatorial and State legislative polls to the forefront shall greatly enhance voter turnout and positively impact the subsequent federal elections for the President and law makers.
The electorate will have a sense of belonging and participate more in the process such that the entire electoral outcome will be a reflection of the true will of the people if the State elections predate federal polls.
There is therefore the urgent need for INEC to adjust the 2023 electoral sequence in favour of State elections.
We call on all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to lend their voices for this clarion call which will redress the disenfranchisement of millions of voters.
Thank you and may the Almighty God continue to bless our own dear native land.
