By Francis Ogbuagu
The Edo Civil Society Organizations(EDOSCO)Saturday stated categorically, that it does not endorse candidates or Politicial parties.
A press statement signed by the Public Relation Officer of Edo Civil Society Organizations, Leftist Osazee Edigin and made available to journalists in Benin City, said the right coalition group is forbidden from endorsing any politicial party or it’s candidate.
The civil rights group, however stated that,as stakeholders in the society.It will engage politicial parties, their candidates,the electoral umpire and the public with the aims of achieving a free, fair and credible election and to reposition the society towards Politicial evolution.The statement reads in part.
“Edo state is currently charged with political activities with the two major political parties, the PDP and APC meeting different groups and sourcing for endorsements along the way to boost their chances at the poll. The civil society constituency is a major component of the system that must not fail in its objectives in repositioning the society towards achieving democratic evolution.
“We need to be emphatic on the issue of political endorsement in elections with its attendant consequences as a civil rights group. As a matter of concrete policy, EDOCSO is forbidden to endorse any political party or their candidates for any election; however, we are expected to help guide the various political actors and citizens on laid down procedures in achieving a free, fair and credible election. Our members are allowed to belong to any political party of their choice but cannot endorse any candidate or political party. Executive council members are barred from belongingto any political party.
“The civil society is to engage the various stakeholders that constitute the polity and not to take a one-sided political endorsement that tends to defeat the trust and confidence of the masses that it represents. We will do political education, have discussions with political parties and candidates, and engage law enforcement agents and the umpire which are geared towards a successful election as the responsibility demands.
“EDOCSO which is ably led by Leftist Omobude Agho will not compromise the standard built over the years and being replicated at our various study centres which are community based formations across the state in endorsing a political party or candidate. It will be too dangerous a risk for EDOCSO to endorse a political party in present day Nigeria when it is obvious that, none can deliver in accordance with expectations nor do they know or understand their political party ideologies.
“Our major preoccupation currently is the continuous and expansion of our Study Centres in every community in Edo state where locals can be empowered with requisite information to engage the system in order to endear a better society. We are a movement poise to raising altruistic leaders that will distort the existing status quo that is populated by greedy, avaricious and gluttonous leaders whose only motivation is the splitting of our commonwealth among themselves. Our presence is already in over 10 local government areas of the state and several communities where our members are making discernable positive imparts.” The statement concluded.
