A Pan- Ijaw socio-political group, the Niger Delta Renewal Group (NDRG), has advocated the implementation of electronic voting system, before the 2027 general elections in Nigeria. It also asked that current voters’ register be cleaned- up before contemplating conduct of the coming polls.
In a statement signed by the group’s President, Dr Precious Peterside, the Secretary, Henry Tolofari and the Director, Media and Publicity, Amb. Cynthia Abbey respectively, the group stressed that it will continue to agitate for the restructuring of Nigeria’s governance architecture without compromise. According to the group, in a statement, “we believe all components of the country stand to gain from a properly restructured Nigeria, in- spite of whatever fears that are harboured by the various nationalities.
The Ijaw group also called on state governments in the South-South geo-political zone, to evolve policies that would promote Ijaw identity, values, orientation and economic prosperity. “We demand that the acceptable Ijaw socio-political leadership is one that protects the social welfare interests and values of our people.
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“We, therefore, look forward expectantly to appropriate reforms in the leadership structure. It is true that when political leadership is wrong and moribund, beneficial socio-economic and infrastructural policies are always the casualty”, the group stated.
While stating its readiness to provide a platform to encourage greater political participation, it called on stakeholders to begin early advocacy on the implementation of the electoral and legislative reforms before clamouring for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
The Niger Delta Renewal Group also called for full implementation of electronic voting system and clean-up of the voters’ register, adding that the exercise must be carried out before the forth-coming general polls. NDRG recognizes the importance of the Ijaw Diaspora in the transfer of progressive knowledge and processes in their countries of residence to Ijaw homelands.
“This critical demography can help us achieve a lot of progress, if they get involved in the political processes right from their different bases, while also offering their technical expertise towards improving the socio-political and economic landscape of the Ijaw homeland”, the group submitted.
