The Executive Director of the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, has led a team of election observers to monitor the Labour Party primaries held across Abia State.
The observation exercise, conducted on Friday, involved representatives of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme, The Kukah Centre, and the Abia State Independent Peace Committee.
According to a statement issued by FENRAD, the mission was part of ongoing efforts by governance and civil society stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability and peaceful participation in Nigeria's electoral process.
The statement noted that the observer team participated in the exercise following accreditation granted by the Labour Party, which allowed civil society organisations and members of the Independent Peace Committee to monitor the party's governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly primaries.
The delegation observed various stages of the exercise, including accreditation of delegates, voting procedures, compliance with party guidelines, collation of results and adherence to democratic standards.
The mission was also supported by democracy and governance experts, among them political analyst and development consultant, Dr Jide Ojo.
Speaking after the exercise, Nwafor underscored the importance of transparent and credible party primaries in strengthening democratic institutions and enhancing public trust in the electoral process.
He said credible leadership emerges from transparent internal party processes, stressing that adherence to established rules remains essential for deepening democracy and fostering confidence in election outcomes.
As part of the engagement, the delegation paid a consultative visit to the Chairman of the Abia State Independent Peace Committee, Archbishop Sunday Onuoha, where discussions focused on measures to ensure peaceful elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting examined strategies for preventing electoral violence, promoting dialogue among stakeholders and encouraging responsible political participation across the state.
The observers commended the Peace Committee for its efforts in promoting tolerance, conflict resolution and peaceful coexistence among political actors.
The team later concluded its assignment at the state collation centre, where results from various polling units, wards and local government areas were aggregated for the declaration of successful candidates.
At the end of the exercise, the observers emphasised that credible elections begin with transparent party primaries and urged political parties, candidates and citizens to uphold democratic principles throughout the electoral cycle.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening electoral integrity, civic participation and peacebuilding in Abia State and across the country ahead of the 2027 polls.
0 Comments