The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has said the credibility of any election is eroded when security agencies become partisan.
The party urged Nigerian security services to always resist the temptation of taking sides and acting at the behest of the ruling party especially during elections.
This was contained in a communique issued by the party at the end of its Leadership Retreat with the theme: What Nigerian Voters Want – A Strategic Engagement, which ended in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The communique read in part: “The security agencies were called upon to be unbiased and non-partisan during elections. The moment the security agencies take sides, the electoral process can’t be credible again.”
The party also charged political parties to stop waiting for the election season before mobilizing voters to perform their civic responsibilities.
As part of its commitment to taking up this challenge, members of the ADC have agreed to emulate Senegalese youths by galvanizing its youth population to kickstart a political revolution in Nigeria.
The retreat which drew participants from across the 36 States of the federation including Abuja, had Dr. Chukwuka Monye, ADC presidential aspirant in the 2023 presidential election as lead consultant.
Panelists were people from all works of life: market women, civil servants, politicians civil society organizations, drivers and youth movements.
Other resolutions reached after the retreat read : “ADC wants change in the electoral process to start with the voters. Will intensify it’s voters education programmes.The voters are critical to democracy and nation building. ADC asserted that it’s liaison with the electorates must continue in good spirit.
“ADC honed it’s transformation leadership ideology. And says that the entire Nigerian system is rotten and needs overhaul. Political parties must take systematic actions towards transforming the rottenness in the polity.
“Members agreed to emulate Senegal youths and to use its young members most effective to shore up mobilisation and bring about change in all election including LGA, state and national.
“ADC encourages political parties not to wait until election years before planning to run elections. That’s why the party is organizing leadership retreats to develop the capacities of her party leaders. The party believes in continuous learning.
“ADC pointed to its handshake symbol as integral to love, respect, friendship and posits same Handshake to douse insecurity in Nigeria.
“The insurgents and bandits are Nigerians and can’t be cast aways. ADC plans to fight insecurity through our handshake philosophy.
“Dedication and endurance were identified as the spirit that will propel anyone to win election.”