From Okechukwu Eluu, Abakaliki
As the 2023 general elections left with few days for Nigerians to go to the poll, the Independent Election Observers of Nigeria in Ebonyi State has trained its hook staff. The training took place at the Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers Council Hall, Onwe Road Abakaliki.
In his remarks, the National President of the Independent Election Observers of Nigeria, Chief Lazarus Nwachukwu said it was the usual manner of the members of the forum who organised the one day of intensive training for their hock staff in the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State for effective observation and proper information during and after the general elections in the state.
He disclosed that the members of the forum cut across the networks of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the state.
He expressed great Joy and a high sense of patriotism and his profoundness in welcoming both the participants and the CSOs personnel Present in the training exercise.
He explained that the training was organised to enable the forum to make good developments in the nation's Democracy and good practices during and after the 2023 general election in promoting peace and unity in the country.
He added that the forum first kicked off operation show your PVC in the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State in 2022, and advocated the need for eligible voters who have registered should go to INEC offices, to collect their PVCs for enabling them to ote for the persons of their choice during the election exercise.
He also disclosed that PVC plays an active role in promoting the nation's democracy and peaceful participation
in the electoral process, during and after the election in the country.
Chief Nwachukwu on the other hand made the observers a hock staff to understand that they are the nation's nationalists, urging them to use every possible means by following the INEC guidelines and living above board while discharging their duty at the 2023 polls.
Recall that the security chiefs were invited for security intelligence training and orientation to the participants on the safe ways of observing and proper monitoring during the voting exercise.
Other invitees included the Representatives of Ebonyi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the National Official of the Forum of Independent Election Observers of Nigeria, Abuja and the election observer training team.
One of the trained participants ts, Comrade Matthew Nkwuda from Abakaliki Local Government Area of the State, while interacting with newsmen, said that the training has created more experienced added to his experience before now and the forum has done very well by retraining them to go out for the exercise.
He also requested the security operatives agencies chiefs to advise their men, who sometimes allegedly harass them at the poll while carrying out their assigned assignment during the voting exercise to allow them, enabling them to effectively face their assignment to achieve the expected goals by INEC during and after the elections
The Assistant Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp Ebonyi State Command. Dr Mrs BENEDICTA KELECHI ONYEOGU., who represented the State Commandant Engr Felix Bulade also advised the participants to toe lines of peace in order not to fall into the hands of the hoodlums.
