ABUJA – Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), said paucity of operational funds had deprived civil society organisations to discharge qualitative voter education to Nigerians.
Onwubiko made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the CSOs and NGOs, who were mandated to begin a process of sound quantitative voter education and enlightenment campaign to the general public, were facing paucity of funds.
“ We are to provide sound and qualitative voter education and enlightenment campaign for Nigerians to exercise their freedoms and constitutional rights as they participate in a free and fair election.
“ The challenge facing many CSOs that are credible and ready to work is paucity of operational funds to discharge these functions to Nigerians,’’ he said.
He noted that the international funding partners and other development agencies were no longer transparent in the distribution of pro-democracy funds to groups in Nigeria, as only few groups keep benefiting.
“There is need for greater transparency and accountability in the award of fund to Nigerian groups; INEC also gives fund to only few favoured groups headed by their choice.’’
NAN reports that successful voter education ensures that voters are ready, willing, and able to participate fully in the election process.
Voter education is essential to ensuring voters are well-informed and can effectively exercise their voting rights and express their political will on election day.
On the raid that occurred at the APC secretariat in Lagos, he advised the party to seek legal redress and not necessarily overheat the country with needless partisan and divisive emotional outbursts.
He charged security institutions in Nigeria to live above board and serve Nigeria with the best of intentions, adding that they should carry out their constitutional duties. (NAN)
- Latest
- Trending
