The Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), in collaboration with the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), has organised a one-day town hall meeting on public sensitisation ahead of the forthcoming local government council elections to pave the way for free and fair elections.
The convener of the Kano State Local Government Elections Observation Mission, who doubles as the founder and national coordinator of CDE, Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, emphasised that the town hall meeting aimed to create awareness, sensitise the public, and ensure a hitch-free local government election.
Waiya urged residents of the state to come out en masse and exercise their franchise, while also encouraging all political parties participating in the election to ensure a peaceful and violence-free process. He stressed the importance of electorates feeling free to cast their votes for candidates of their choice without fear or molestation.
According to him, citizens were also encouraged to study the respective political manifestos of the participating parties and make informed decisions while casting their votes.
Speaking at the occasion, former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, who chaired the town hall meeting, warned stakeholders against actions designed to impede the scheduled October 26 local government elections in the state.
He expressed discontent with the litigations and counter-litigations surrounding the preparations for the local government elections, appealing to all stakeholders to “think Kano first before their selfish interests.”
Abubakar questioned why Kano, known for its political consciousness and acclaimed as the most populous state in the country, would not be prepared to hold a hitch-free local government election devoid of rancour.
He expressed optimism that “the election will hold, and it is going to be peaceful. Nobody should stop the election from holding in Kano on Saturday.”
The town hall meeting was attended by women leaders, youth leaders, opinion leaders, and traditional and religious leaders, among others.
A source within KANSIEC, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that the commission is ready to conduct free, fair, and credible local government council elections in the state.
According to the source, KANSIEC has concluded all preparations to ensure a hitch-free and fair exercise come Saturday.
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