The Civil Society Network for Citizens Engagement, Credible Elections and Good Governance (CSNCE2GG) has held a post Primary elections Press Conference in Asaba.
At the Press Conference the Civil Society Network led by Activist Rex Anighoro declared that the People Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Primary Election was Free, Fair and Credible and that the outcomes clearly reflected the wishes of the delegates and entire members of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State.
Activist Rex Anighoro on behalf of the Civil Society Network congratulated Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewori for emerging as the flag bearer of the keenly contested primary election.
The Civil Society Network hailed the quality and the maturity of the other aspirants who stayed through the process and for ensuring that their supporters were peaceful and violent free. He urged the aspirants to show greater maturity and sportsmanship by congratulating the winner.
It will be recalled that the Civil Society Network for Citizens Engagement, Credible Elections and Good Governance (CSNCE2GG) had gone round Delta State engaging with Aspirants Chief amongst the Aspirants engaged were Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborewori, Distinguished Senator James Manager, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Hon. Ben Igbakpa, Hon. Smart Asekutu, Hon. Samuel Mariere, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo, Hon. Matthew Opuoru, Hon. Taleb Tebite, Hon. Rueben Izeze, Hon. Onos Agofure amongst others. The Civil Society leaders interrogated their Citizens Agenda and Manifesto sharing with them strategic developmental Programs. They were also involved in the advocacy for a Peaceful and Nonviolent Elections as well as monitoring the Primary Elections at all levels as much as possible from the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senatorial to the Governorship Elections.
Activist Rex Anighoro at the Press Conference decried the news making rounds in the social media of delegates been induced by aspirants across the country stating while it remains unconfirmed and largely unsubstantiated it remains a great worry that should be paid serious attention to and that there is a great urgency on the part of the Civil Society to condemn this negative narrative, carryout not just only voters enlightenment but a vigorous campaign against money induced elections. He called on the Civil Society not to be docile but to lead from the front lines in the fight of entrenching enduring democracy where the will of the people will not be mortgaged through monetisation.
Activist Rex Anighoro on behalf of the network hailed His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for ensuring that the Primary Elections across Delta State was very peaceful and violence free.
He called on all the candidates whom have emerged to reach out to the other aspirants who contested with them and do needful consensus building by adopting parts of their fellow contestants manifesto that they find to be outstanding for the good of the citizens. He also called in the aspirants who did not win to show maturity, congratulate the winners and be ready to work with them for the good of the citizens and society. He also stated that as a matter of priority the Civil Society should be given a place of prominence in their campaign organisations as there is so much the Civil Society can help do to strengthen global best practices, crafting realistic developmental agenda through increased citizens needs assessment, evaluating and filling gaps where necessary.
Activist Rex Anighoro also called on all Political Parties to emulate the People Democratic Party (PDP) that has ensured that the Civil Society continue to open the civic space, engaging State Actors and Aspirants in ensuring that the quality of their Citizens Agenda is interrogated and improved upon for the greater good of the citizens and of the State.
Speaking at the Press Conference, Amb. Augusta Impact Keneboh Executive Director of Afro Centre for Development Peace and Justice saluted Activist Rex Anighoro and the Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa administration for giving the Civil Society the space to engage with the People Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants nothing that it was first of its kind and that the engagement has greatly enriched the process on his part Deacon Okezi Odugala Executive Director of Eziodu Initiative for Sustainable Environmental Development stated that other political parties should open the space to allow the Civil Society engage with their Aspirants and Candidates as the People Democratic Party (PDP) has done, he made it known that Governance must always been about the Citizens and as such scrutiny and collaborations between the Civil Society and Political players remains very important.
Civil Society Leaders who were at the Press Conference included Deacon Okezi Odugala Executive Director Eziodu Initiative for Sustainable Environmental Development (EISED), Amb. Augusta Impact Keneboh Executive Director Afro Centre for Development Peace and Justice (ACDPJ), Dr. Martins Kediehon, Executive Director Safe Aid Foundation (SAF), Activist John Izobo Acting Coordinator Delta State Chapter Niger Delta People Salvation Front (NDPSF) Comrade Churchill Ayovuata Director Initiative for Human Rights and Good Governance (IHRGG) and Comrade Joe Okor representing Delta State Civil Society Volunteers (DCSV).
