By Chinedum Treasure
National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Anambra state has called for reintroduction of accountability and stewardship forum where elected officers showcased their various performances to their constituency.
Acting Director, Bar Ifeoma Chijioke made the call Wednesday at the regional stakeholder conference on information narratives for the 2027 general election in southeast Nigeria organized by CDD with the support of the National Democratic Institute (NDI – for international affairs).
She regretted that absence of such forum had contributed to people’s lack of confidence in the nation’s electoral processes.
She also called for proper transmission of election results to restore citizens trust especially during the 2027 general elections.
While urging Nigerians not to lose hope in the electoral process, Chijioke expressed optimism that there was still opportunity to get things right.
“People have lost confidence in country’s election. We need extra efforts and commitment to make them believe in the system again.
“One of our core mandates is to encourage people to register and obtain their PVCs to enable them exercise their franchise. We will not relent amidst discouragements,” she added.
State Secretary Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Uzochukwu Eminent described the electoral act as anti-people, expressing his lack confidence in the act except if amended.
“They often say the minority will have their say but the majority will have the way. What kind of majority is that? Or are we now having mobocracy? They should make the law we want and not otherwise,” he added.
Chairman of the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), Prince Chris Azor underscored the place of civic engagement, noting that the path to functional democracy required collective effort to strengthen institutions.
He urged participants to work together to promote unity, stressing that every piece of information shared would assist in nation building.
Managing Director, Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife stressed the need for stakeholders to arm themselves with tools to fact-check information before sharing.
Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Anambra chapter, Barr Amara Muojeke frowned at aspects of the Electoral Act that rendered academic qualifications insignificant.
She argued that such low benchmarks would hinder quest for quality leadership and make fight against institutional corruption difficult.
Earlier, Director of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West-Africa), Dr Dauda Garuba said the engagement was targeted at assessing impact of information narratives on the 2025 Anambra election as well as identifying strategies to mitigate disinformation and polarization.
Garuba, represented by CDD’s Election Consultant, Chibuike Mgbeahuruike said informing and equipping stakeholders to promote peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in southeast Nigeria remained the goal of the organization.
“This meeting is also aimed at strengthening electoral management and system resilience as well as fostering civic engagement and address electoral apathy.
“The 2025 Anambra governorship election presented numerous challenges, including the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
“As a leading organization committed to democratic governance, CDD, with NDI’s support, monitored these trends to inform our work and contribute to electoral integrity,” he added.
