This assessment was made by the Executive Director of Media Ethics and Rights Initiative, an Onitsha based responsible journalism advocacy group, Prince Ezekiel Amanambu, while speaking to newsman in Awka after monitoring the election in many Local Government Areas.
The responsible journalism advocate said that his group took it upon itself to monitor the APGA Primary elections following the interest generated in the build-up to the elections and the renewed interest in party primaries noticed across the political divide.
According to Prince Amanambu, “the Media Ethics and Rights Initiative is impressed with what we saw on ground, no violence, most of the contestants comported themselves orderly. We also noted few areas where the list was contentious but the issues were later resolved amicably. That is the essence of internal democracy.”
Said he; “We witnessed the exercise in Njikoka 1 & 2 and Anaocha 2 and watched the results announced after a peaceful voting process. I believe that the party machinery should be able to resolve any conflict and complaint that may arise from the primaries. However, from the feelers that we have so far received across the state, we can say so far so good.”
The rights advocate further explained that the group is poised to monitor the conduct of other party primaries to assess the level of compliance and transparency. He urged the media to be vigilant and avoid reportage of news tilted to favour persons who may not have group and collective interests at heart and may be out to cause disaffection.
Such tendency, he advised should not be encouraged. Amanambu assured that the interest of the Media Ethics and Rights Initiative is in the emergence of quality leadership across party platforms which will ensure that ultimately the choices of the people are voted into power.