In a bid to promote good governance in Benue State and Nigeria, the SOS Children’s Villages organized a town hall meeting with key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event, which took place in Makurdi on Friday, was part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project and aimed at reviewing the 2023 elections while gathering feedback from local government elections in the state.
SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria, in collaboration with other partners and funding from the European Union, has been actively involved in the project titled “Towards a Peaceful Non-Violent Election in Nigeria.” The initiative has included a variety of strategic pre-election activities such as community sensitization, awareness forums, conferences for traditional and religious leaders, as well as training sessions for youths and women on peacebuilding, conflict management, and citizen journalism before, during, and after elections.
As the lead consortium partner for Component Six of the EU-SDGN II, SOS Children’s Villages focuses on transforming societal norms and values to reduce violence, encourage dialogue, and address the root causes of electoral and other conflicts across six states, representing the six geopolitical zones.
During the town hall meeting, Consortium Manager David Daniel emphasized that governance is an ongoing process that extends beyond elections. He urged Nigerians to actively participate in governance to hold leaders accountable. The theme of the meeting was “Reflection on the Outcomes and Learning of Elections in Benue State for Sustainable Peace and Strengthened Democracy in Nigeria.”
Daniel highlighted the importance of involving citizens in the ongoing constitutional review and the review of the electoral act. He stressed that only by participating in these processes can Nigerians question government policies, demand good governance, and contribute to meaningful change. He also advocated for strengthening political structures at the grassroots level, urging Nigerians to make informed choices when electing leaders.
Hon. Bem Anshe, the Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Special Needs, expressed support for the meeting, noting the need to assess the 2023 election outcomes and learn from them for future elections. He also called for the inclusion of People with Disabilities in all programs, urging other organizations to follow SOS Children’s Villages’ example.
Ibrahim Idoko, the Benue State Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), praised the town hall meeting, saying that many Nigerians had lost faith in the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). He called for the scrapping of SIECs and recommended that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be entrusted with conducting local government elections across the country. He also advocated for the constitutionalization of electronic transfer and transmission of election results, with penalties for violators.
The District Head of Ugondo Community in Makurdi LGA, Chief Justin Ihwakar, commended the organization for hosting the meeting and assured that the traditional institution would continue to cooperate in maintaining peace in the communities.
Terkaa Andyar, the Public Relations Officer for INEC, lauded SOS Children’s Villages for organizing the event and urged Nigerians to exercise their franchise during elections to ensure the election of the right leaders for effective governance and accountability.
Other speakers included Dr. Comfort Aba from Faith-Based Organizations, who encouraged youths to take a proactive role in ensuring purposeful leadership by avoiding electoral violence. Terfa Tsevende, an Assistant Director of Special Duties from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), noted that the meeting would contribute to deepening democracy and fostering good governance in the state.
Participants at the town hall included representatives from various sectors, such as security organizations, the Muslim and Christian communities, persons with disabilities, as well as youth and women groups.
