Monarch urges INEC on voter education
Fisayo Akinduro, Osogbo
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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has been urged to start voter education two years ahead of elections.
Olowu of Kuta, Oba Abdulhameed Makama said this in his palace while speaking with The Hope.
The traditional ruler said there was massive voters apathy during the last assembly election, but it was peaceful .
He disclosed what might be responsible for the apathy was people not knowing if their votes will count.
The monarch admonished INEC and National Orientation Agency, NOA, to educate voters adequately, not necessarily when the exercise was in place or when it was about to commence.
“Voter education should start two years before the commencement of electioneering process.
“INEC and National Orientation Agency should let Nigeria as know that their votes is their right and responsibility.
“If you look at the indices released that about 87 million Nigerians collected PVCs, out of about 200 million, plus or minus, add the votes of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress at the presidential election, it is about 37 million, so, where are the rest.”
He said it shows something was wrong and INEC needs to do more than they are doing by educating Nigerians more about electioneering process.
Oba Makama displeased that INEC is an institution for not using its independency accurately enough.
“INEC has not exhibited the courage to assert authority that would show it is independent.”
He however urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reach out to all his opponents for reconciliation in order to move the country forward, noting that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable.