CSO Tasks Incoming Administration on Immediate  Reconciliation in Kogi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

A civil society group, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has urged the incoming administration in Kogi State to as matter of urgency set agenda for immediate reconciliation of the people of the state for peaceful co-existence and unity.

The group called on the political  parties to do more to include young persons in their internal party activities through effective specific policies that encourage youths in party leadership positions

This was contained in communique issued at the end of a one-day post governorship election review in Lokoja at the weekend.

The group lamented that the state has not witnessed divisive tendencies like what happened during the just concluded off -cycle election in the state when the political parties were ethnically based, which has inadvertently caused a very sharp division among the major component parts of the state.

It also urged the incoming administration to as matter of urgency ensure the unity of the people of the state for equitable distribution of state resources

The communique further stated:  “The current attitude of opposition parties in Kogi State, where parties seem weak to challenge the policies of government, is detrimental to forging a vibrant democracy and good governance

“There must be a deliberate effort by the incoming administration in the state to convene a state conference to re-establish bonds within the citizens taking into consideration the level of distrust and disunity within six months of its inauguration.

“The state House of Assembly must ensure that the Youth Commission and the Ministry of Youths and Sports and other youth focused institutions have adequate funding to carryout activities aimed at improving the development of youths in the state

“The constitutional amendments to remove the age restriction for contesting election must be in the front burner of the current National Assembly, by amending the various Sections that provide for the right of young persons at 18 but cannot vote at that age. We proposed that the constitution should state that any citizen of Nigeria that has attained the age of 18 years can vote and be voted for.

“We call on the Nigerian Police to as a matter of urgency, conclude its investigations into the post-election violence that has characterised the aftermath of the November 11, 2023, governorship elections in Kogi State, and make the outcome of such investigation public as soon as possible.

“Also, political parties must be held accountable for the violent actions of their supporters before, during and especially after the elections in Kogi State.”