FCT Poll: CESDA Tasks Electorate to Vote Credible Leaders

Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Development Awareness (CESDA), a non-governmental organization (NGO), has called on the electorate in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to vote credible leaders at the Feb. 12, Area Council Chairmanship elections.

The Programme Officer, Mrs Roseline Mathew, gave the advice on Monday, during a one-day Town Hall Meeting with the theme: “Citizens Participation & Service Delivery’’ in Kuje, ahead of the chairmanship elections in the area.

She said the desire of the organization was to ensure that no qualified electorate was left out in the process of choosing their next political representatives in the Feb.12, FCT elections.

“The town hall meeting is to sensitise the people of Kuje on how to choose the right leaders, knowing who to vote for and coming out to vote.

“That is why we are here to sensitize them.

“The message will go far because we selected people from the grassroots to ensure that their votes cannot be sold to vote for a leader that has good conscience and have people at heart,’’ she said.

According to her, the group embarks on series of sensitization in the six area councils to ensure that eligible voters participate and choose credible leaders during the elections.

Mr Francis Adegbe, the Information Technology (IT) Leader of the organization, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible election during the area council elections.

Adegbe said the achievement of a responsible and credible leadership was achievable if the processes leading to the emergence of leaders were free, fair and devoid of any manipulation.

“They should make the electoral process credible, they should make sure materials get to the polling units as early as possible and make sure they train their ad-hoc staff appropriately.

“The electorate should desist from vote buying because money is not enough to mortgage the future of their children and the unborn children,’’ he said.

Francis urged INEC to shun acts that could derail the smooth conduct of the elections in FCT and ensure that people’s vote count for the development of democracy in the country.

He, however, enjoined all eligible voters in FCT to shun electoral malpractice, “come out and effectively participate in the process of electing a leader of their choice during the area council elections.’’