G24 Embasara Foundation, a
Bayelsa based civil society group on Friday bemoaned the imposition of candidates
by dominant parties in the recently concluded party primaries in the state.
G24 Ambasara Foundation expressed its dismay
in a statement signed by Denzel Amagbe
Kentebe, Chairman Board of Trustees and Iniruo Wills, Co-convener and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa.
The group non partisan, not-for
profit leadership and governance initiative, noted that it is disturbed by the
alarming proportion of candidates that were reportedly forced and foisted on
the people by godfathers.
It observed that the
practice led to the exclusion of other aspirants thereby depriving the people
of Bayelsa the benefit of a robust
engagement that would have led to the emergence of the best
“With the publication by the
INEC in Bayelsa State of the official list of party candidates for the 2019
elections, the stage is now set for the usual fierce power tussle and horse trading.
“We frown at the indiscriminate,
lawless and unfair practise where during the conduct of party primaries by some
political parties.
“Delegates of well-favoured
aspirants were reportedly given preferential treatment over and above other
delegates thus breeding distrust, rancour and acrimony amongst hitherto loyal
party men and women.
“We note that the gale of
defection sweeping across the parties and in particular the People's Democratic
Party (PDP) and the All Progressive
Congress (APC) in the state lately is traceable to the undemocaric practice.
“It is perhaps not
unconnected with the growing number of disgruntled party faithfuls who have
been denied their legitimate right to participate in primaries free from
manipulation, imposition, harassment and intimidation,” the statement read in
part.
.
It stated that whereas political
parties raked in hundreds of millions of naira
from aspirants ,some sold personal effects to be able to purchase the exhorbitant
nomination and intent forms
According to the group, the parties
on their part, failed to provide the
required level playing ground to test their popularity and hence defeated the
very essence of the primaries to the disadvantage of aspirants.
The group urged Independent National
Electoral Commisision to forestall the reoccurrence and nip it in the bud. since
INEC is by law empowered to supervise party primaries.
It said that it was the duty
of INEC to ensure strict compliance with approved prudential guidelines and
extant laws, adding that it must share in the blame and take responsibility for
ensuring that future primaries are well monitored.
The group called on the
Bayelsa Government and the Bayelsa Police Command to play the role of an
impartial arbiter by creating the enabling environment for the smooth conduct
of a credible elections in 2019.
“G24 is however worried that
with the process leading to the emergence of the party flagbearers published by
INEC characterised of behind-the-scenes manipulation and open rascality.
“The foundation of the 2019
elections in the state is already greatly weakened.
“We are equally shocked at
the fewer number of female aspirants offering themselves for elective offices going
by the INEC list.
“This is even when most
parties offered nomination forms free of charge to female contenders.
“The global trend is that
more and more women are beginning to take active interest in political
leadership and Bayelsa cannot afford to be an exception,” It stated
The group noted that as the 2019
poll approaches economic prosperity and sustainable development of the state
can only come about when the right candidates not the right parties are voted
into power.
It called on the people of
the state to exercise their franchise and vote out bad leadership.
The group said it
advocates the emergent political leaders must commit to abide by a code of good
governance stipulating minimum thresholds of service delivery and quality
assurance.
“Those political gladiators
whose stock in trade is to hold the political economy of the state by the
jugular and convert the commonwealth to their private estate, should be prepared
for a rude shock.
“This is because the cry of
the masses, like that of the Israelites in Egypt, has ascended to heaven and
the finger of God is set to disgrace and dethrone the wicked Pharaohs and Herods
in the land.
“God is set to enthrone the Josephs,
Daniels and Joshuas that will take Bayelsa to the promised land,” the group
stated.
It further urged youths to
shun political thuggery and and resist dubious politicians who lure them and turn
the votes of the masses into ballots of blood only to abandon them when the
chips are down.
No comments:
Post a Comment