The Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room and the Centre for Democracy and Development have called on electorate in Ekiti State to shun violence and financial inducements in Saturday’s Governorship Elections.
They made the call during separate briefings in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
Elections in Nigeria have become a trade by barter, putting a major question mark on the quality of democracy practiced in the country.
Political parties and their candidates have been known to set aside money for voters, many of whom are all too willing to sell for a price.
The Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, is appealing to Ekiti electorate to shun the trend if they expect to hold the elected government accountable.
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Ekiti has witnessed some violence in the lead up to Saturday’s poll. This is another area of concern even though the candidates had signed a peace accord on Wednesday.
Another threat observed by the civil society groups is fake news by the political gladiators in order to gain undue advantage over their rivals.
While urging the security agencies to play by the rules, the groups want the electoral umpire to ensure prompt distribution of election materials to polling units.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
