*COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE 1-DAY MULTI-STAKEHOLDERS DIALOGUE MEETING FOR KOGI WEST SENATORIAL ON PRIORITIZING ANTI-CORRUPTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY ISSUES TOWARDS 2023 ELECTIONS AT STATE LEVEL
*HELD AT HOTEL CHARVID, AYETORO GBEDE, IJUMU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA ON THURSDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2022 ORGANIZED BY THE CONSCIENCE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (CHRCR)*
*BACKGROUND:*
The meeting had in attendance, Political Parties members, students, community based organizations, Market women, Hunters, Religious groups, Traditional leaders, members of National Union of Road Transport Union (NURTW), Youth groups.
The meeting featured presentations on the Review of activities on the Anti-Corruption project, Goal and objectives of the Anti-corruption project, Question and Contributions sessions, development of Citizen Impact Scorecard, Community Questionnaire on Prioritizing Anti-Corruption and Accountability issues towards 2023 Elections.
*OBSERVATIONS:*
1. Political Parties are Constitutionally the only recognized platform for contesting Elections in Nigeria
2. There is poor understanding of the electoral process and the legal framework on elections at the grassroot levels
3. Political parties have still not properly educated the members and supporters on the electoral and voting processes.
4. Inclusion of Vulnerable groups and Gender Equity in Political Party positions, is still a challenge within most Political Parties, particularly at the grassroot levels
5. Awareness of Women in Politics is a major constraint to their effective participation in Party Politics.
6. Political Parties and their Candidates have most often than not do not keep to their campaign promises and this is one of the reasons for disenchantment of the citizens in governance and this has negatively Impacted on the trust of the citizens at the community level resulting in loss of confidence in the democratic process and elections in particular.
7. There is still enthusiasm to participate in electoral process particularly on elections day by citizens.
8. There is a failure by elected representatives in performing their constitutional responsibilities particularly the Legislators
9. Issues of Anti-corruption and Accountability are not on the front burner of political parties and candidates seeking for elections
*RECOMMENDATIONS:*
After deliberations, discussions and interventions, the meeting recommended the following actions:
*-* That There is need for Political Parties to put in place deliberate strategies for the inclusion of women in key Elective and appointive positions in the Party activities and programmes.
*-* There is needs for increased levels of awareness creation for women and other stakeholders on inclusive political party participation.
*-* The meeting emphasized the need for Political parties to incorporate Anti-Corruption and Accountability in their manifesto, to serve as guide to prospective candidates that will win elections on their behalf, which will in-turned lead to good governance.
*-* There is need for Political parties to make publicly available their party manifestos and constitution to enable the electorates to make informed choices during elections
*-* Political Parties need to continuously build the capacity and monitor the activities and performances of the candidates and elected representatives.
*-* The meeting encouraged the electorates to continue participation in the electoral process and make themselves available on election day to perform their civic responsibilities by voting for candidates and political parties of their choice.
*-* INEC is encouraged to continuously improve on the electoral management process to further engender credibility in the electoral process.
*-* The meeting urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to play by the rules and guidelines during the campaigns towards the elections to ensure a safe and credible outcome for the 2023 General elections
*SIGNED:*
____________________
*IDRIS MILIKI ABDUL*
*_Executive Director_*
Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR)
Lokoja, Kogi State.
*9th September, 2022*
