Politicians Take To Town Hall Meetings With Communities

TOWARDS adequate and better political representation, communities and electorate across the country have engaged in series of discussions with political office seekers and their parties on their obligations and tasks if elected.

   Also, such forum have been adequately used by government and its agencies, especially the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the police and communities to sensitise and educate the electorate on their rights, duties and the need to shun electoral violence.

  One of the advantages is that meetings allow candidates to interact and explain directly to citizens the policy thrust of their envisaged administration and how the set objectives will be achieved.

  In Ogun State, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the umbrella body of youth organisations, Ewekoro Local Government Chapter, last Thursday held a Youth Summit/Political Debate for the House of Representatives and State Assembly candidates, which cuts across all political parties functioning in the council area. It was the first of its kind in the state, among the youth wing.

  Though only two candidates, the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Israel Jolaoso, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and another House of Assembly member, Hon. Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, vying for a seat in House Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), showed up, the debate afforded the youths opportunity of engaging them on some challenges in the area and in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency in general. 

  The traditional ruler, Olu of Itori, Oba Fatai Akamo and other youths across the 10 wards used the opportunity to set agenda for the candidates.

 At another town hall meeting, a group, the Ado-Odo Development Foundation (ADF), Ogun State, through its coordinator, Engr. Alade Jimoh (MNSE), tasked the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun to extend his administration’s road reconstruction policy and other infrastructural facilities to the area, as part of his electioneering promises.

   The group claimed that the area has no single motorable road, noting that the only road linking Owode, Ado-Odo with Ikoga in Lagos State is in bad state, worsening the economic fortune of the town.

  He emphasized the need for adequate and better political representation and appoitments so as to have their own fair share in the polity of the state.

   While thanking the governor for the Model Secondary School under construction in the town, they solicited for a higher institution of learning, which according to them will open the community to vast opportunities, improve its economy and provide encouragement for the youths.

  In Lagos West, the Senatorial Candidate of APC, Hon, Solomon Adeola, organised a Town hall meeting with stakeholders at Oshodi Isolo local government, calling on all eligible voters not to be intimidated by threat of violence, but to exercise their democratic rights of electing their leaders.

  He told the stakeholders, including traditional rulers, market men and women, community development associations, artisans and road transport workers that he will fight for the expansion of Oshodi express road, as well as attract requested projects from the Federal Government, adding that the neglect of the state in development by FG is deliberate and partisan.

  To ensure a violent free poll and youth participation, in Nsukka, Enugu State, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), held a Town Hall meeting, in collaboration with UN Development Programme. At the meeting, the Protocol Officer of the group, Ijeoma Uzoma, urged the youths in Nsukka, to avoid violence during the elections.

  She also urged them to resist any attempt by overzealous politicians to use them as political thugs to cause violence during the exercise, tasking them to perform their civic responsibilities and avoid all forms of violence.

  Just two weeks ago, the Chairman of Ewekoro local government, Ogun State, Ogbeni Oludele Soluade, in collaboration with the police, the State Security Service (SSS), and other security agencies held a Town hall meeting with the council youths, warning to them to shun all forms of violence and lawlessness.

  He implored them to see themselves as brothers by eschewing politics of bitterness, appealing to them to go back to their wards and communities to spread the message.