ABUJA – The I-Nigerian Initiative, a NGO, on Tuesday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections in camps where Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) are [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]domiciled.
Ms Stella Apiafi, National Coordinator of the Initiative, gave the advice while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja.
She said that INEC must ensure that these groups of Nigerians were not disenfranchised by reason of their peculiar circumstances.
According to her, the result of various visits by members of the group to IDP camps both in the FCT and parts of the north east are revealing.
Apiafi said that a great number of the IDPs were already registered to vote before the crisis that displaced them.
According to her, the camps are particularly tranquil with inhabitants electing their own officials, who are seeing to the smooth running of the camps.
Apiafi also implored relevant authorities to ensure that the reports submitted by the Initiative about the findings in the camps are looked into.
“The reports should be followed in order to ensure that lives of the IDPs are made as conducive as possible and that their rights and privileges are not trampled upon,’’ she said.
She said the Initiative’s contribution to national re-awakening involves doing a lot of advocacy work in the area of security, collaborating with security and response agencies.
She said that the NGO had been working with the International Emergency Management Society, Nigeria/West African chapter (TIEMS), Journalists against Disaster Initiative (JADI) in the area of disaster management.
“Last year alone, we organised and moderated a series of interactive sessions between the media and Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies.
“And we also ran various radio jingles and bulk messages on peace, security and being our brothers’ keeper,” Apiafi said (NAN)
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