From Scholastica Hir Makurdi
As part of activities to entrench good governance in Benue state and Nigeria at large, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO), the SOS Children’s Villages, has met with Benue stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The town hall was part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) Project and was organized to review the 2023 elections and get feedbacks from Local Government elections in the state.
Our correspondent reports that SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria, in a consortium with other partners and with funding from the European Union (EU), has been actively engaging in the project titled “Towards a Peaceful Non-Violent Election in Nigeria.”
The initiative included series of strategic pre-election activities such as community sensitization and awareness forums, conferences of traditional and religious leaders, conferences of non-state actors, and training of youths and women on peacebuilding, conflict management and citizen journalism before, during and after elections.
As the lead consortium partner for Component Six (6)C of the EU SDGN II, SOS Children’s Villages focuses on transforming cultural and societal norms, values, and behaviours to reduce violence, support dialogue, and negotiation, and address the fundamental causes of electoral and other conflicts across six states, representing the six geopolitical zones.
Speaking at the town hall meeting in Makurdi, on Friday, the Consortium Manager, David Daniel, who noted that Governance is a process which doesn’t end after election, ured Nigerians to participate fully in the governance process of the country in order to hold leaders accountable.
The theme of the meeting was “Reflection on the Outcomes and Learning of Election in Benue state for Sustainable Peace and Strengthened Democracy in Nigeria.”
Daniel while also noting the ongoing constitutional review and the review of the electoral act said Nigerians must get involved to make their inputs as only then can they question policies, programmes of government and also demand good governance.
He also called for strengthening of political structures at the community and grassroots level saying “We must understand the implications of the choices we make when electing our leaders and ensure that we elect those who would provide good leadership.”
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Special Needs, Hon Bem Anshe said the meeting was apt as there was need to assess what transpired in the 2023 election, draw lessons to ensure a better process in the next election.
He urged all organizations to emulate SOS Children’s Villages in ensuring the inclusion of People With Disabilities in their programmes.
In his contribution, the Benue State Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council, (IPAC), Ibrahim Idoko commended SOS Children’s Villages for organizing the Town hall meeting saying Nigerians had lost faith in State Independent Electoral Commissions and called for constitutional provisions scrapping them and entrusting the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), with the responsibility of conducting LG elections in the country.
He also asked that electronic transfer and transmission of election results be made constitutional and punishment prescribed for violators.
The District Head of Ugondo Community in Makurdi LGA, Chief Justin Ihwakar who commended the organisation for putting the meeting together assured of the cooperation of the traditional institution to ensure peace in the communities at all times.
Also, INEC through its Public Relations Officer, Terkaa Andyar lauded SOS Children’s Villages for the meeting and urged Nigerians to always exercise their franchise during elections to ensure that right candidates are elected for good governance and accountability in the country.
Other speaker, Dr Comfort ABA from the Faith Based Organisations, challenged the youths to take the lead in ensuring purposeful leadership by shunning all acts that could lead to electoral violence while the National Orientation Agency, NOA, represented by Terfa Tsevende, an Assistant Director of Special Duties, noted that the meeting would help deepen democracy and enthrone good governance in the state.
Participants at the town hall were drawn from various sectors in the state had in attendance representatives of security organisations, the Muslim and Christian communities, persons with disability, youths and women groups among others.
Photos.
1. A cross section of participants at the town hall meeting.
2. A participant making a point during the meeting.