DELTA NDC STAKEHOLDERS FLAY DELAY IN OFFICIAL RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT
· TASK DICKSON, OBI, OTHERS ON TRANSPARENCY
Notable stakeholders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta South have lamented the continued delay in the official announcement of the results of the party’s recently concluded primary elections.
‘’As a political movement seeking to redefine governance and democratic participation in Nigeria, the NDC must continue to distinguish itself through transparency, responsiveness, and accountability’’.
They also urged the leadership of the party to release the official results of the primary elections without further delay.
‘’The delegates who cast their votes deserve to know the outcome of the process. Party members deserve clarity. Nigerians who have invested hope in the NDC deserve evidence that the party remains committed to the democratic principles it has consistently advocated’’.
The committed stakeholders in the democratic future of Nigeria and supporters of the ideals upon which the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was founded in a statement on Sunday urged the party’s national leadership to provide a clear explanation regarding the reasons for the prolonged announcement process.
‘’Democracy flourishes when the people are informed. Confidence grows when institutions are transparent. Trust is strengthened when leaders communicate openly. The delegates have voted. The members are waiting. The nation is watching. The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress now has an opportunity to reinforce public confidence by acting swiftly in the interest of transparency and democratic accountability’’.
The statement signed by the Coordinator of Advocate for Transparency, Accountability, and Democratic Participation, Dr. Benedict Ferife urged the national leadership of the party to reassure members and the Nigerian public that the integrity of the electoral process remains fully protected.
The statement released in Ozoro advised the national leadership of the party to demonstrate, through action, the democratic values that have positioned the NDC as a credible alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Titled ‘’Transparency Delayed Is Confidence Tested’’, the party stakeholders said the NDC emerged with a promise to Nigerians.
‘’The NDC emerged with a promise of transparency, accountability, internal democracy, and a genuine departure from the political practices that have weakened public confidence in our democratic institutions. It is this promise that has attracted the support, hope, and commitment of many Nigerians seeking a new political direction’’.
According to the statement, party faithful, delegates, supporters, and observers are increasingly anxious over the absence of an official declaration of results more than twenty-four hours after voting was concluded.
‘’While we recognize that verification and administrative procedures may be necessary, transparency demands that the party keeps its members and supporters adequately informed. Silence and prolonged delays, however unintended, can create uncertainty and fuel speculation, thereby undermining confidence in an otherwise credible process’’.
The stakeholders called for openness, prompt communication and reassurance.
‘’This appeal is not intended to question the integrity of the primary election. Rather, it is a call for openness, prompt communication, and reassurance to the thousands of members and supporters who participated in and closely followed the exercise. This appeal is made in good faith and in the best interest of the party, its members, and the democratic aspirations of Nigerians’’.
