As AkwaIbom People and indeed Nigerians exercised their franchise at the polls, the Chairman of the Coalition of All Domestic Observer Groups in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Efemena Atutu has expressed confidence in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s REC in the State, Barr. Mike Igini to conduct the most free, fair and transparent elections ever in the history of the State.
Atutu who said that from their observation, INEC was ready to afford the electorate a level playing ground to exercise their franchise at the polls, harped on the integrity of the Resident Commissioner who he noted has over the years demonstrated unparalleled strength of character in conducting credible elections in any State he is saddled with the responsibility in Nigeria.
The Chairman of Observer groups arrived at this standpoint while exchanging views with newsmen in Uyo, the AkwaIbom State Capital City during the presidential and national assembly elections that took place across the country.
He stated that ‘We appreciate the arrangement put in place by the INEC in the State to ensure the security of sensitive materials and the arrival of the same at their respective Local Government areas and polling Units’.
He hinted that the Coalition have sent a large number of Domestic Observers across the 31 Local Government Areas of the State, maintaining that they have put structures in perspective to ensure efficient observation of the elections across the State.
Atutu said that in order to properly observe and aggregate opinions and observations as they unfold, the coalition has set up a situation room for real time coordination and compilation of observation reports.
He applauded all the participants at the polls, the candidates, the political parties and their agents, INEC official and Adhoc Staff, Security agencies and the electorates for conducting themselves properly, before, during and after the elections.
He however condemned the indiscriminate arrest of some persons suspected to be political opponents, stressing that the coalition was seriously concerned and planned for peace to reign and allow voters free expression of their opinions and interest.
While advising the police and other security agencies to be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties,the observer groups commended the police for withdrawing police details from privileged elites and politicians who often used same especially at election time to intimidate and harass political opponents as well as voters in order to perpetuate electoral malpractice.
He said, “We have noted that AkwaIbom State has a total of 2,980 polling units spread across the 31 LGAs and have consequently mapped out the whole State for effective deployment of accredited INEC Observers who are members of this coalition and whose observations will form the basis of our real time report.
“We observed with pride the peaceful disposition of candidates in the conduct of their campaigns against all evil predictions of AkwaIbom State as a battle field.
“We continue to impress upon them the necessity of imbibing the tenets of civilized conduct which are character traits of real statesmen”.
He expressed the optimism that Nigerians will not to toy with this golden opportunity of redefining their destiny and entrusting same into the hands of trustworthy patriots.
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