Group sues for issue-based campaigns

Activists task security operatives on neutrality
Members of the Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria (GPAAN) have called on the candidates of the different political parties to focus their campaigns on issues, devoid of calumny.

After series of meetings in Lagos recently, the president, Mr. Ayo Oyoze Baje; his vice, Mr. Lekan Sote; and the secretary, Mr. Victor Anya; urged the politicians to do away with mudslinging and other forms of hate speech.

Reviewing the state of the nation, other members of GPAAN similarly raised concerns over the insidious trend of vote-buying, violence and the use of brute force to browbeat political opponents.

The group also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security forces and observers to maintain neutrality during the forthcoming general elections.

In a bid to be active participants in the electoral process, the analysts held an interactive session with the founder of the Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, during their monthly meeting in October.

Okei-Odumakin then expressed willingness to assist the group in voter education prior to election monitoring.

In the same vein, activists have called on the nation’s security operatives to exhibit a high sense of neutrality before, during and after 2019 general elections.

Sheriff Mulade of Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) told The Guardian in Abuja that their neutrality would guarantee credible polls.

According to him, it is only the masses would determine the direction of the country and identify with a presidential candidate that would take them to a new Nigeria.

“We are not talking about political parties because they are just vehicles, and voters should not depend on any kind of inducement, but look for dependable candidates,” he said.

Mulade, therefore, called on Nigerians to come out to elect a president that has the capacity to lead the country to a better future.

Equally, Napoleon Ehiramen of Nigeria for Good Governance urged the nation’s security agencies to emulate their counterparts in the West during elections.