Book preparing Nigerians for 2023 election
It was for the love and survival of Nigeria that Citizens Intervention and Accountability Network, CIAN, released its empowerment resource materials to get Nigerians prepared ahead of the 2023 general elections.
One of the resource materials is a National Civic Project, titled: Nigeria’s Next President, a book recently presented to the general public in Abuja. The book, according to CIAN, was produced to cause a paradigm shift in the direction of Nigerian voting public by fostering civic eternal vigilance, inspiring civic responsibilities and stirring civic activism that challenges conventions as well as demand accountability from elected officials.
The organisation is of the view that the best way to achieve the desired participatory change in the polity is for Nigerians to see themselves first as critical partners in reordering the faulty leadership recruitment process; and not just as spectators, or passive partners, but as active compatriots who will be conscious of their votes, and the inherent power that lies in them.
In a keynote address presented during the book presentation, CIAN’s Director of Information and Strategy, Dr. Candyfidel Onwura Okoye, said: “Europe and other continents of the world we love to make reference to, or enviably talk about and currently rushing to migrate to, did not emerge on mere hope and passivity, but on visionary and constant struggles, with people standing up to fight for their rights,” adding that the Nigerian electorate must assume responsibilities in their quest for good governance by transforming to be the change they want to see.
He said: “For too long, we have yearned for a better tomorrow, better country and mourned a better yesterday, hoping that one day things will change and get better. But rather, we are being confronted with new woes that demand Nigerians in their collective effort to rise up and do something. Enough of compromising the voting power for ephemeral economic gains popularly called stomach infrastructure. “Nigerians must believe in themselves, believe in their sovereign voting power, and trust the electoral process. We must not continue to cast aspersion on the electoral process, and with the negative mindset that election will be rigged and greeted with malpractice.”
Dr. Candyfidel further implored the whole populace to come out en-mass to vote and defend their votes, noting that elections have consequences. “As the saying goes, when evil reigns in a nation, it means that men of honour and good conscience have not spoken. For as long as the citizens and the civil society are docile, dubious and desperate politician’s codenamed mandate stealers, will continue to have a field day.”
He however indicated that, the empowerment resource materials are not intended to criticize any political party, politician, past or present leadership, but to reveal and draw attention to the basis for voting, issues to look out for, and the expectations of ‘Nigerians from a potential “Nigeria Next President”.
The Father of the Day, former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife described the book, ’Nigeria’s next President’ as timely, because Nigeria’s president is the hottest issue in Nigeria today. Read More..
