Retired security operatives organize lecture to address challenges ahead 2023 elections in Nigeria
The Association of Retired Officers of Department of State Service of Nigeria (ARODSSON), Ogun State Chapter on Wednesday organized a lecture aimed at addressing salient issues and challenges ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Penpushing reports that the programme which is the second anniversary lectures series of the association has the theme, ‘2023 General Elections and 22 Electoral Act: Salient Issues and Challenges’, and was held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta
The programme had in attendance political gladiators and other stakeholders which include members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), journalists, electoral officials, religious bodies, representative of traditional rulers’, students bodies, police and other security agencies among others.
Penpushing further reports that Chairman of the association Omolaja Odetola in his welcome speech noted that there was no better time than now for the engagement, noting that Department of Security Service (DSS) has established its reputation in Nigeria political and intellectual life over the years.
‘It is unarguably one of the most prominent and unbroken security agencies of the government that pride itself with men of extraordinary values, who work day and night to ensure order and avert chaos in our land’, he said
Penpushing also reports that Odetola pointed out that the collective experience of retired operatives of the service is indeed a national asset, stressing that democracy depends on the lively participation of organized civil society in political life.
‘Politics is too important to be left only to the politicians. By organisisng this type of events, we are making a valuable contribution to our growing democracy, which is still comparatively young’, Odetola stated
Penpushing reports that he noted that in a relatively short space of time, Nigeria has earned a reputation as something of a democratic role-model in Africa, having organized six credible elections and transitions of power
‘Yet, despite this glowing international reputation, we Nigerians are aware that each election has generated a worrying degree of violence and uncertainty. Today we will recall the benefits of democracy, the challenges of organizing peaceful and credible elections, the road ahead for Nigeria beyond the elections and the role all the critical stakeholders must play in the run to the 2023 general elections’, he added
Penpushing further reports that, Odetola said it is pertinent to remember that elections are a mechanism for the arbitration of political rivalries and peaceful and democratic rotation of leadership, stressing that if political rivals and their supporters do not believe the electoral process to be fair, then they will ultimately resort to less peaceful methods to change political direction
‘We must not let the street take the place of the ballot box, but that requires credible elections. Credible elections have to meet three essential criteria namely: inclusiveness, transparency and accountability. That is the only way to earn the trust of the competitions and the public’
Penpushing also reports that, the Commander of So-Safe-Corps, Dr Soji Ganzallo in his brief remarks commended the association for coming up with the topical issues, most particular at this time that the general public needed to be adequately schooled on voting education.
The Commander of the government owned security organisation implored the participants to see themselves as ambassadors who are expected to go back to their various homes and preach same knowledge into them through the lecture
Penpushing reports that the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC),Osun State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke delivered the lecture at the well-attended programme
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