L-R: Barr. Samuel Eneonwuta(board member); Chief Romanus Monye (member); Barr. Rosemary Eton (board member); Chief C. Okafor(Chairman of the board); Chief Onyema Onyenakeya ( PRO) and Elder Moses Kalu(member) at the CVDI press conference held in Festac, April 4, 2023

April 5, 2023

…Urges citizens to have faith in the judiciary

The failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to bide by its rules and the electoral Act, coupled with the various cases of irregularities, violence and intimidation, which to many, marred the outcome of the election and calling to question the credibility of the just concluded 2023 general elections in the country.

There has however also been questions about the integrity of the judiciary which will be put to the test.

These issues were brought to the fore at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, organised by Citizens Voice Development Initiative, CVDI.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the board, CVDI, Charles Okafor, in his presentation of the group’s recommendations said, INEC should be subjected to scrutiny and officials found wanting should  be adequately sanctioned.

He emphasised the need for adequate citizen enlightenment and engagement for the desired growth and stability of our polity.

Okafor however noted that uppermost in the heart of the group is the preservation of the unity of the nation, and this, it will continue to pursue to achieve through its various engagements with other relevant stakeholders.

For Barr. Rosemary Eton, member of the board, CVDI, the need to respect the separation of powers and implementation of the Rule of Law cannot be overemphasised in a democracy.

According to her, the judiciary is still the voice of the people and as such, and as such we should still have faith in it. “We have no other country, we must strive to make it work. No matter the country you go to, you will be seen as a second class citizen, which is why we must defend our citizenship”.

“We seem to have ignored the sacrifices of bringing about a united Nigeria which is the pathway to having a progressive nation devoid of tribalism and ethnic profiling, ” Barr. Samuel Eneonwuta, member of the board said.

Elder Moses Kalu, Nigeria needs a paradigm shift. he believes that a new Nigeria is a dream that must come true if we elect transformational, God fearing and leaders with empathy.

He noted the importance of the media in the new Nigeria of our dream and urged the media not to be compromised.

Political Economist NG reports that Citizens Voice Development Initiative (CVDI) is a non-governmental organisation whose principal aim is to work for the unity and development of the country, be the voice of the voiceless, advocate for good governance which is anchored on the Rule of Law and which accords every Nigerian their full right of citizenship.