Sola POPOOLA
National Assembly candidates from different political parties in Ekiti State have endorsed the Vote,Not Fight (VNF) and Governance Agenda for an Inclusive Nigeria(GAIN) advocacy documents with a promise to support the agenda,if elected.
The two projects are being implemented by the foremost Non Governmental organisation, The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
Other partners in the projects are : YouthHubAfrica, Women in Politics Forum and Inclusive Friends and no fewer than 25 candidates are expected to sign in for the projects.
They are contesting under different political parties ; such as the All Progressives Congress(APC) ,People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Social Democratic Party(SDP) and New Nigeria People’s Party(NNPP).
The Executive Director NIGAWD,Abimbola Aladejare-Salako explained that the project is designed to further engender peace and inclusive representation.
She disclosed the intervention was to secure candidates’ commitment to credible and violent-free poll .
More importantly for candidates to initiate or support legislations on inclusion at the two highest law-making chambers when elected.
” The commitment reads ” I hereby pledge that I will implement the recommendations made by the Nigeria’s Women ,Youth and Persons With Disability, if elected “.
Among the candidates who embracec the projects included, Hon Cyril Fasuyi ( Ekiti North Senatorial Candidate) Hon Yemi Adaramodu ( Ekiti South Senatorial candidate) and Hon Biodun Omoleye ( Ekiti Central two,House of Representatives candidate)
Others were : Hon Akinkayo Kolawole (Ekiti North two,House of Representatives candidate) ,Barrister Akin Rotimi ( Ekiti North one ,House of Representatives candidate) and Hon Ojuawo( Ekiti South Federal Constituency one )
The candidates in their remarks described the projects as crucial for development and survival of democracy in Nigeria .