A non governmental organization (NGO) Follow The Money (FTM) has vowed to mobilize twenty thousand observers across the country to ensure that, Nigeria’s 2023 general elections is free, fair and credible.
It should be noted that the 2023 general election for President, Senate, and House of Representatives is scheduled to hold on the 25th of February while that of the Gubernatorial alongside the House of Assemblies in the 36 states of the federation is to hold on 11th of March, 2023.
Addressing Journalists after advocacy visits to Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi and Plateau States, the North Central Lead who doubles as Niger State Lead, Richard Abubakar Umar said for the 2023 elections to be credible, it will depend on the vote counts of every citizen in Nigeria.
According to him “FTM is mobilizing twenty thousand observers across the country and we have asked State Leads and Zonal Leads across the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to move to their duty posts; to prepare ahead of time and to gather observers who will act as watchdog for the 2023 upcoming general elections to see that voters cast their votes peacefully and freely.
“The idea of this Independent Election Observers, is to closely monitor the Politicians and Political Parties to make sure they do not convince these citizens to sell out their votes/conscience, rather the FTM wants Nigerians even at the grassroots level to elect a credible candidate of their choice who will provide basic amenities for every community in Nigeria”.
He added that, a Monthly Security Dossier (MSD) where every reported security incidents from selected newspapers in Nigeria, has been launched.
Umar also said FTM is on a mission to collaborate with top security bodies in the country to discuss prevalent issues and to ensure the citizens are protected when they are carrying out their Electoral franchise, adding that “this year’s election will be challenging with the rate of insecurity in the country”.
Furthermore, he charged the security agencies and government to play a very crucial role in this election to ensure it is peaceful with no conflicting issues and the citizen’s votes are not tampered with.
In Kwara State, the FTM met with the State Commissioner for Environment on behalf of the Governor to discuss our social accountability mantra and 2023 Elections.
The FTM met with the Chairman, Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC), was received by the Plateau State Commissioner for Special Duties, Inter- Governmental Affairs and NGOs, Hon. Gyang Dung Musa on behalf of the Executive Governor.
Also, FTM was received by the Director of Finance, Benue State Primary Health Care Board on behalf of the Executive Secretary, while in Kogi State, FTM was received by the Special Adviser to the Governor and the Director General Local Government Affairs of the State.