By Victor Bieni, Asaba
The Chairmen’s Forum of African Democratic Congress, ADC in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT, Abuja led by the Chairman of All Chairmen, and Delta State Chairman, African Democratic Congress ADC, Hon. Prince Joe Chukwu has called on the Federal Government to quickly address critical Issues such as Insecurity, ASUU strike etc as State of the Nation that had and still negatively effecting the citizens, electorates.
The media learnt this today being 26th March, 2022 in a communique which was made available to some group of Journalists in Enugu the venue of ADC Chairmen’s Forum Strategic Meeting. While addressing the press, Prince Joe Chukwu, Chairman, ADC Chairman’s Forum suggested some way forward on proffering lasting solution to the negative impacts of some National issues on citizens.
ADC leadership who commended Nigerians for their support to the group as one of the foremost Political Party in Nigeria with conscious commitment to the advancement and unity of Nigeria in all areas of our Nations life.
The leadership stated that it has observed with serious concern the topical issues confronting our Nation in recent times and wish to state that the increasing spate of insecurity in Nigeria is now a National song on the lips of everyone in the country.
ADC Chairmen’s Forum addressing the increasing spare of insecurity in Nigeria noted with concerns: “Insecurity of live and properties, terrorism, kidnapping, banditory and activities of unknown gunmen. The insecurity in the Nation is growing exponentially as each day passes by. The Nation’s state of unrest will completely turn everywhere to miasma of bloodletting, if vital steps are not taken”
“The havoc being wrecked by rebellious individuals is deadly and there is need for new security tactics to arrest this ugly trend. We call on our Government at all level to arise to this occasion and fulfill their primary duty of safeguarding lives and properties”.
ADC Chairmen’s Forum also frowned at the current ASUU Strike in Nigeria as the Leadership called on Federal Government to negotiate with them for the good of Nigerian students, growth and development of education sector in the country.
The Leadership while expressing her deep concern on incessant strike in Nigerian Education sector stated:
“We gravely discontenance the lingering contractual quagmire between ASUU and The Federal Government that has kept our University system under the torment of incessant ASUU strike”.
“This culture of disruptions of Academic programme by ASUU strike keeps frustrating the ambitions and aspiration of Nigeria Students in the process of acquiring knowledge. This latest episode calls for concern and a rethink. This is the 16th strike since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999. Despite the numbers, there is little to show”.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government to genuinely look into the demand of ASUU and settle the issue because our Tertiary institution is the research center of our National growth and development”.
ADC Chairmen’s Forum amongst other concerns categorically expressed her readiness to maintain political party presidential zoning in 2023 to Southern Nigeria as ADC leadership, then advised other top Nigerian political parties such as APC, PDP and other parties to emulate ADC party’s exemplary gesture.
According to the Chairman of All Chairmen, ADC-Nigeria, Hon. Prince Joe Chukwu: “Over the time, we have aligned ourselves as a Political Party to support the patrotic call for Political Parties in Nigeria to have their Presidential ticket zoned to the Southerner part of the Country. We are also of the strong opinion and conviction that Southern Nigeria deserve the Presidency for the sake of equity and justice in our Nation’s Political system”.
Speaking further, ADC Chairmen’s Forum through its Chairman, Hon. Prince Joe Chukwu, then applauded the Federal Lawmakers for New Electoral Amendment Act, the bill as passed by the National Assembly and President Mohammed Buhari for signing it into law as the Forum stated that, “the landmark legislative amendment by National Assembly in our electoral process is a pragmatic response to the realities of the Nigeria electoral experience”.
The Leadership in the communique while explaining the importance of the new electoral feats to Nigerians and lend voices on the best possible ways to make progress on the new amendment act stated: “The Amendment act bill as passed and signed will help to raise the quality of Nigeria’s Democracy by ensuring that the country’s Leadership recruitment process is rested on a credible and transparent electoral framework”.
“The early release of electoral funds will strengthen INEC financial independence. Also, the inclusion of electronic transmission of result, power to review Election results declared under duress, political neutrality of INEC Personnel, legalization of electronic accreditation of voters, inclusion of persons with Disability, using accredited votes to determine total votes, early conduct of Party primaries, elongation of campaign period before election and substitution of candidate in the event of death in an election will help to inject sanity and credibility in our electoral process”.
“We call on all stakeholders to vigorously and honestly work for the full implementation of this act in our forthcoming General election in 2023”.
The Forum while increasing her advocacy concern on Nigeria’s Gender Quota Electoral Act stated that, “the group strongly support the women clamour for a gender quota electoral Act that will address the inclusion of women in all decision-making processes in the country”.
ADC Chairmen’s Forum stated: “Beyond rhetorics, there is need for amendment of policy and legal frameworks for gender sensitivity through the inclusion of affirmative action on Women participation and representation in politics and governance institutions”.
“Inclusion of gender quota in the electoral Act will ensure Political parties field women constitutionally with enshrined quota. However, our women must also arise to support themselves, develop themselves for leadership and be ready to competently compete for Political positions as this is the global best practices”.