A coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kaduna State has described the call for the resignation of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) Chairperson and allegations of disenfranchisement by a group of aspirants as baseless and harmful to democratic institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Co-chair of the Open Government Partnership in Kaduna, Mubarak Abdulganiyi, stated that calling for the removal of the electoral umpire at such a crucial time does not bode well for democracy.
Reading the text of the press briefing, Mubarak emphasized the critical role of KADSIECOM as an independent body tasked with overseeing elections in Kaduna State without interference from political actors.
He underscored the constitutional mandate that guarantees the Commission's autonomy, warning that unsubstantiated calls for the resignation of its Chairperson could destabilize the electoral system and erode public trust.
The aspirants' claims, which centered on alleged disenfranchisement, were dismissed by the CSOs due to a lack of evidence. The CSOs urged the aspirants to pursue legal avenues rather than resort to public accusations. "The courts and electoral tribunals exist to address such grievances. Public smear campaigns only serve to undermine the integrity of the democratic process," the Co-chair stated.
The CSOs also highlighted the reforms implemented by KADSIECOM under the current Chairperson’s leadership, which have contributed to the transparency and inclusivity of the electoral process. Efforts such as voter education, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring equal access to voting were noted as key achievements of the Commission.
Describing the demands for the Chairperson's resignation as "counterproductive," the CSOs cautioned that removing an electoral official in the midst of an electoral process could lead to widespread chaos, disrupt the electoral calendar, and diminish the credibility of future elections. They also warned of the dangerous precedent it would set, allowing political actors to pressure officials out of office based on dissatisfaction rather than proven misconduct.
The CSOs concluded by calling for restraint and responsibility in public discourse, urging all political actors to focus on strengthening democratic institutions rather than destabilizing them. They reaffirmed their support for KADSIECOM and its Chairperson, stating, "We stand in solidarity with the institutions that protect our democracy and call on all stakeholders to work towards ensuring free, fair, and credible elections."
Prominent members of the CSOs present at the briefing included representatives from the Kaduna Local Government Accountability Mechanism, Campaign for Democracy, and Vanguard for Peace and Democracy.
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