Anambra guber: Stakeholders, parties unite for peaceful poll

[SunNews]

By WILLY EYA

All is now set for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State. With barely two weeks to go, people of the state are already in the mood to take that important decision of who succeeds Governor Peter Obi.

The state, often described as the gateway to the South East zone, is agog with political activities. In the streets, markets, village squares, churches and anywhere one could imagine in the state, the issue is-who becomes the next governor of Anambra State. Literally, everybody in the state has become a politician of some sorts.

Daily Sun, which was in the state recently, observed that politicians and virtually every indigene and resident in the state now wear a new costume to reflect the issue of the moment – the November 16 political battle. Of course, it is common knowledge that the uniforms vary according to various political parties 'actively' participating in the election.

Some commuters in the state adorn their vehicles with bold posters of their candidates with some covering their number plates with such materials as a further expression of where they pitched their tents. Among them, one still finds those who readily give fliers of their parties with the message to support their candidates.

The description of the political atmosphere ahead of the governorship election can go on and on but one feature of it all is the seeming desperation of some of the power brokers in the state despite the message of peace. However, until last Friday's incident where about 25 people were reported dead during a church programme in Uke, the state has been calm and will hopefully witness peace when voters file out on November 16 to express their franchise. That, though, is all things being equal.

But Daily Sun reports that one programme that has laid the foundation for a smooth, free and fair election was the recent "Sensitization workshop for Anambra State Political Parties and Stakeholders (2013 Gubernatorial Election)".

The event which held on Wednesday, October 23 was at the Conference Hall, Women Development Centre, Awka, capital of Anambra State. The expansive hall was full to capacity.

It was organized by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi.

No fewer than 23 political parties were represented in the programme which was a forum to chart a course for a peaceful, free and fair election in Anambra State on November 16.

Even though many of the parties represented in the event struggled to sell their programme which was against the spirit of the sensitization programme, the workshop indeed turned out a forum for rubbing of minds for a hitch-free election.

But to critical observers, the event gave a picture of what the possible outcome of the election would be.

In his welcome address, the organizer of the programme, Senator Obi dismissed any doubt that the political environment in the state was passionate and emotional but cautioned that only a candidate could be elected governor at a time.

He enjoined contestants and their parties to always have in mind and also educate their supporters to toe the path of peace, abide by the electoral laws and respect judicial process in addition to adhering to the rule of law.

Senator Obi said the workshop was to ensure that the vibrant competition among the governorship candidates is carried out in a healthy and mature manner to guarantee continued peaceful coexistence of the people of Anambra State.

"Election should not be a do-or-die affair, hence, there is need to eschew the policy of 'I and Me', and, 'If I do not win, then nobody else should'.

"For an election to be free and fair, honest balloting and counting must be administered without fraud, and there must be prompt and just resolution of election-related disputes and grievances, before and after the election day.

"Fairness, therefore, also requires a level playing field", he said.

He recalled that his office recorded huge successes in the July and September 2012 pre-election sensitization workshops organized in Edo and Ondo states respectively which received acclamations from across the country.

"It is in line with this that we are holding today's event for the November 2013 Anambra Gubernatorial elections, with the strong conviction that the tremendous successes achieved in Edo and Ondo states will be repeated here as well," he said.

Senator Obi  urged the candidates and stakeholders to make the state proud by having a collective will to correct the impression, "that this state encourages electioneering thuggery and malpractices; does not easily accept the outcome of elections, even where it is glaring that a loser truly and squarely lost; and, support attitudes uncomplimentary to representational democracy.

In his remarks, chairman of the event, Senator Ike Nwachukwu observed that the mission of the workshop was so that the stakeholders and parties collectively ensured that the forthcoming election is peaceful, free, credible and successful.

He said the workshop was a neutral forum where all including the candidates were encouraged to interact freely and come to an understanding to ensure free and peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the elections.

"I believe we can turn a new page in the history of Anambra politics and set the standard for the rest of the country to emulate. And I stand corrected should my assumptions be wrong", he added.

The chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega in his goodwill message commended the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs for sustaining the hosting of special workshops for stakeholders before the governorship election.

Prof Jega who was represented by Hajia Amina Zakari said the commission accord special attention to the workshop with the hope that it would help greatly to re-orient not just the governorship candidates but all stakeholders towards an enduring culture of tolerance, respect for rule of law and constructive engagement in addressing emerging challenges.

Governor Peter Obi who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu charged all contestants to abide by electoral regulations, eschew politics of bitterness and not to overheat the polity, assuring them that his government would ensure and provide fair and level playing ground before and during the election.

Guest of Honour, and Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah who was represented by Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe stated that the Anambra State governorship election would be a test case for the 2014/2015 polls and enjoined all contestants to remember that the state belonged to all, hence the need to eschew politics of violence.

After meaningful and well thought exchanges of perspectives of the workshop, the participants via a communiqué resolved as follows:   That the will of the electorate as expressed in the November 16, 2013 gubernatorial election in Anambra State must be respected by the political parties and stakeholders;

That the electoral umpire, INEC, must provide a level-playing field for all contestants;

That all candidates and their political parties should play a leading role in providing a rancor and violence-free, smooth, fair and credible election; That the Police and all other security agencies involved in the November 16 election should be neutral and non-partisan; That the presidency should avoid manipulating and generally interfering with the electoral process; That the use of inciting and violent language before, during and after the election must be eschewed; That the Judiciary should play its role as an unbiased arbiter and ensure timely delivery of judgment should the need arise; That the Media must play its role as watchdog by accurately and fairly covering and reporting the election, eschewing the use of provocative language;

That the victor should be magnanimous in victory and losers gallant in defeat, realizing that one and only one can be a winner in the election;

That no acts of intimidation of the electorate by political parties, candidates and supporters should be tolerated and that peace and tranquility in Anambra State will be maintained before, during and after the election.

The communiqué also urged all to abide by the Revised Code of Conduct signed by all political parties and INEC.

Participants at the event included leaders of political parties, governorship candidates, media practitioners, civil society organizations, representatives of the security agencies, INEC, the Diplomatic Corps among others.

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