The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Cross River on Saturday joined the Carnival Calabar street party as part of measures to sensitise the electorate to its activities.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs Ngozi Oghuma said that INEC participated in the carnival to publicise its activities.
She said that doing so would enable voters have a proper understanding of the electoral process, just as they would be encouraged to participate in the electoral process adequately.
“The significance of this exercise is to showcase what we do in INEC, as directed by the headquarters.
“We use this medium to tell members of the public about our activities so that they understand the what the electoral process is about,” she said.
Oghuma added that the commission would soon resume Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) across the state, hence the need for voter sensitisation.
According to her, the participation of the commission in the carnival in the past yielded fruitful results as it helped encourage the electorate to “flow with the commission’s activities.
“Our participation in the past really helped INEC in making the electorate flow with us in the electoral process.
“It has provided a big platform for us to meet with the people.”
Oghuma disclosed that preparations have begun for the scheduled rerun elections in some wards in Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency following a High Court Order.
“So, participation in the carnival will afford us the opportunity to tell the public about the rerun elections so that they can be well-informed and prepared.
“We already have some non-sensitive materials on ground and we are waiting for more materials from the headquarters,” she said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rerun election will hold on Jan. 25, 2020 in 11 electoral wards of Ekureku, in Abi local government area.
Meanwhile, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River on Saturday said that Humanity was the greatest religion on earth because it preaches love, kindness and unity.
Ayade stated this during the kick off of the grand finale of the 2019 Calabar Carnival which has the theme “Humanity”.
“As we leave here today, if we don’t learn anything let us learn that humanity is the greatest religion.
“With humanity, you don’t need your Bible or Qur’an because with it you will show love to your fellow men that needs your love.
“Whether you are rich, poor, tall, short, black or white; humanity does not know the difference because it breaks all barriers,” he said.
He added that as everyone came to enjoy the dance and glamour of the carnival, they should bear in mind that man has to change the way he lives for a better world.
“When God created man, he created him to be equal and peaceful but in the course of man’s existence in the world, he has become animalistic.
“I speak with a lot of agony, melancholy, frustration and pain because when God created mankind, he created us in his own image; he created man for the beauty of the world.
“He gave his only begotten son to die for us, but in the course of man’s habitation on earth, man has deviated completely. Man has gradually become more animalistic and animals have become more human,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Mr Gabe Onah, Chairman of Calabar Carnival Commission, said the Carnival was all about humanity, love and kindness.
Onah said that Calabar Carnival has become a true platform for cultural diplomacy and a way of changing lives through cultural performances and display.
According to him, the carnival has become a village where communities, states and other countries come together during the Christmas season for fun, tourism and cultural display.
NAN
