Participants at a one-day workshop on “The Role of Media and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Anti-corruption, transparency and accountability in elections,” held in Lokoja, Kogi, have challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to explain to the people of Nigeria and Kogi State in particular, the rationale behind the declaration of the Lokoja/Koton Karfe House Representatives by-election held on 11th August 2018 as conclusive whereas the same scenario in the gubernatorial elections in Osun state held on the 22nd September 2018, was declared inconclusive.
They also called on the state government to initiate without further delay the process that will lead to the conduct of the Local Government elections in Kogi State as provided for in the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The workshop which was organized by the Centre for Human rights and conflict resolution (CHRCR) in partnership with Yar’dua foundation, with the support of MacArthur Foundation, had in attendance Print and Electronic Media Practitioners, Civil society organizations, women and youth organizations.
In a Communiqué issued at the end of the workshop and made available to the Next Edition, the noted that the Media and the Civil Society have joint responsibility in anti-corruption, transparency and accountability in elections and enjoined them to work together and built synergy.
The Communiqué was signed by Idris Miliki Abdul
According to the Communiqué, the goal of the workshop was to “institutionalise anti-corruption, transparency and accountability in Nigeria by ensuring necessary political commitments to deepen and spread anti-corruption, transparency and accountability in elections.”
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The participants also observed as follows: That INEC guidelines and Electoral Act for conducting elections in Nigeria were not adhered to during the Kogi by-elections held on the 11th of August, 2018 when compared to the Osun Gubernatorial elections held on 22nd September 2018.
That the relationship between the Media and civil Society is not as expected and the media does not see themselves as part of the civil society organisations.
That the non-conduct of Local Government Elections in Kogi State in the last two years is tantamount to corruption that negates the principle of accountability and democracy.
Papers on Roles of Media and civil society were presented by a veteran journalist and a civil society leader at the workshop which held at Halims Hotel, Lokoja, Kogi State.
