IPOB: Boycott poll at your peril, group warns voters

Fri, Oct 13, 2017 | By publisher


Politics

 

A PRO-DEMOCRACY group, Democracy Network, has urged voters in the state to disregard calls by the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB to boycott the polls, saying doing so would be detrimental to their wellbeing.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja, convener of the group, Chief Uche Wogu, said a governor would still be elected as some people would still vote.

He said: “On the issue of IPOB asking Anambra people to boycott the election, the fact is that whether you come out or not, a governor would still be elected on that day and he will be your governor. So, it will be in your interest to come out and participate.

“Voter apathy is one of the greatest challenges in Nigeria’s democracy. People shy away from participating in politics because they feel once a candidate is not anointed by a godfather, it will be difficult for such person to win. We are already collaborating with Anambra Broadcasting Service ABS, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW and other organizations in the state to help get the message across to the voters.

“A bag of rice might last for some weeks but bad governance lasts much longer. Money politics did not start today but what we are saying is that looking around, in some places, you can see the effects of bad governance and we are saying that henceforth, do not short-change yourself.”

The group also called on elected representatives to establish constituency offices to allow for regular interface with constituents, saying it had evolved a mechanism of tracking activities of all representatives.                             – Vanguard

– Oct 12, 2017 @ 17:15 GMT

 

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