Ahead of the governorship election in Edo state, groups of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faith-based organisations, religious groups and others under the name Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOs) on Tuesday held a one-day sensitisation programme tagged “no contact, no vote”.
The aim is to educate voters on the need to have contacts with the various candidates aspiring to become governor of Edo state from the various political parties.
At the event held at the Edo State Council Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), President of CONGOS, Jude Obasanmi, said one of the visions of the coalition to have a state where civil society would play its primary role of driving development in partnership with the private and public sectors necessitated the campaign.
Members of the coalition first staged a rally round the city centre before the lecture.
Obasanmi said the essence of the event was to ensure that at least 70 per cent of registered voters “participate in the September 10th, 2016 gubernatorial election in Edo state with the assurance that they would have access to the government after the election.”
The guest lecturer Richard Amayo said there was need for the voters to establish contact with candidates seeking positions.
This, he said, would make them hold them accountable when they get to power.
On her part, Edo State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Magdaline Umunnah said NOA was ready to partner with CONGOS and other groups to carry out massive voters education.
Represented by a Deputy Director and head of Programmes in the agency, Austin Odile, Umunnah said: “NOA appreciates the efforts of CONGOS and its decision to carry out this programme and to assure the public that NOA remains committed to continuous voter education, voter re-orientation.
“We also urge voters as we prepare for the governorship election in the state to shun voters apathy and come out in their numbers to carry out their civic responsibility of electing a new government in the state”, she said
