UN body partners CSO against godfatherism, voter apathy in Anambra

Free United Nations Human Rights Education/Advocacy Training Project Nigeria (FUNAHUREA) has concluded arrangements to partner with Oga Ndi Oga Purity Movement (ONOPM) for a transparent electoral process devoid of godfatherism and voter apathy in Anambra State.

The National Executive Project Director of FUNAHUREA, Dr. Ugochumar Ibeakanma, disclosed this at the inauguration of Grassroots Human and Civic Rights Literacy Campaign/ ONOPM, Ihiala Chapter, at Ihiala Local Council, on Saturday.

He noted that opportunistic political class would capitalise on the social, economic, and political illiteracy of the masses to perpetuate their grip of power.

According to him, a principled approach towards checking godfathers from rearing their ugly heads as well as sanitising the electoral system is achievable through knowledge acquisition, application of universal values, the culture of democracy, inclusiveness, and participatory political self-determination.

Ibeakanma pointed out that the UN body had taken time to monitor the humanitarian activities of ONOPM founder, Chief Godwin Agbasimelo, stressing that the partnership would boost grassroots literacy.

The President of Ethics and Morals Social Justice Foundation asserted that a well-informed citizenry would be properly positioned to make wise electoral choices and periodic electoral authority legitimisation, which, in turn, would lead to responsible governance.

If ONOPM succeeds in identifying a good material for the November 6, 2021, gubernatorial election in Anambra, the UN body will secure the support of a United States entity, he added.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of ONOPM, Chief Okwuchukwu Okonkwor, had noted that Agbasimelo was already fighting the battle against godfatherism and illiteracy with his personal resources in his empowerment programmes.

Grassroots literacy, voter education, free medical mission, scholarship awards as well as the donation of transport vehicles and infrastructure are among Agbasimelo’s reported philanthropic gestures.

Okonkwor expressed the belief that such selfless activities would eventually create a strong bond between Agbasimelo and the electorate, such that they would join him in the fight against poverty, recycled leadership, corruption, and electoral malpractice.

In their separate remarks, ONOPM’s Coordinator for Ihiala, Henry Mbanugo, and the Supervisor, Chiedozie Orjiewulu, described the movement as an apolitical innovation which time has come, promising to deepen grassroots literacy campaign to sanitise the political space.

They pointed out that Agbasimelo’s empowerment initiatives would make the electorate to vote based on good character and moral principles.