2023: the CDD tackles Odinkalu, undertakes to remain neutral, impartial in the electoral process

The Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) declares that it will continue to be neutral, independent and impartial in its activities ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The organization said this in reaction to an opinion piece by a former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, accusing him of unfairly defending the Commission's inconsistencies Independent National Electoral (INEC).

In the opinion piece published on Sunday, Mr. Odinkalu criticized INEC for its reluctance to fill vacant legislative seats in the National Assembly.

This, he said, is a violation of Article 76(2) of the 1999 Constitution which empowers the electorate to hold by-elections to fill those vacant seats within 30 and 90 days of they become vacant.

Mr. Odinkalu cited the case of the current APC chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and his deputy, Abubakar Kyari, who resigned as representatives of the senatorial districts of Nasarawa West and Borno North earlier in the year to stand stand for election to party offices.

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The letters of their resignation were read on the Senate floor in April by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

Mr. Odinkalu, who alleged that INEC provided no explanation for its delay in organizing elections to fill the vacant seats, devoted a few paragraphs in the article to accusing CDD director Idayat Hassan of excusing violation by the commission of the law.

"In apologizing for INEC's refusal, Idayat Hassan, executive director of the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD), a nongovernmental think tank, argues that the upcoming 2023 elections have undoubtedly held back INEC's attention," said Mr. Odinkalu.

Ms Hassan, in her reaction sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, described the allegation as an “unfortunate misrepresentation” by CDD.

She said the CDD remained neutral in its role and would continue to hold the government and its agencies accountable.

"This statement has become necessary to reassure the public about the independence, neutrality and impartiality of the CDD in the upcoming elections.

“Our work remains the ultimate catalyst for the transformation of the West African subcontinent into an integrated, economically vibrant and democratically governed community that provides holistic security to the people and is capable of ongoing peaceful conflict management .< /p>

"To support this, over the years CDD has built the capacity of different stakeholders including government and parastatal agencies and has also been very active in activities that will improve democracy and ensure lasting peace" , she said.

ALSO READ: Ahead of #NigeriaDecides2023, INEC must address its credibility gap, By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

Ms. Hassan said the CDD is confident about the impact and effectiveness of its longstanding efforts to promote democratic and accountable governance, adding that its knowledge output on key issues has been updated. profit to make great improvements in Nigerian elections.

"The Center has been vocal in criticizing electoral processes when they deserve it, as it did in the 2019 general and out-of-cycle elections, and even stressed the need for INEC to remain vigilant following the recent elections in Ekiti and Osun in 2022. The CDD statements on elections speak to the realities of the process and consistently highlight ways to improve electoral processes,” she added .

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