We’ll guide against election rigging in Nigeria — National Director, PUAN
By Olaseinde Gbenga – Abuja
The National Director of Polling unit Ambassadors of Nigeria (PUAN), Mr. Babatunde Joseph Sotemi has said the organisation will guide against election rigging in the country.
He made this disclosure while speaking with Nigerian NewsDirect at the ‘Annual Democratic Leadership Event Paddle 2021’ held in Abuja at the NAF conference centre on Tuesday.
He said, “We give God the glory for making it possible to witness this event and as well congratulating Nigerians for speaking out to achieve this wonderful organization, and for the National assembly to accept and incorporate this organization through the persistency of fellow Nigerians, and to bring changes and fairness in forth coming elections in Nigeria.
“The truth about it is that PUAN is here to bring transparency, everybody will be able to know from the polling units down to the collation centres, and results will be seen wide and open. PUAN will not give room for rigging and I think we’ve taken the right step in the right direction for the country, we’ve all been praying for this and we thank God it finally turns out to reality.”
On challenges, the Ambassador stated that it has been a long way of challenges for every good thing, there would always be a challenge but the most important thing “is that we’ve taken a bold step and we are moving ahead and most challenges we had encounter gave us the opportunity to work on subsequent elections.”
According to him, the most important thing “is that we’ve been accepted and Nigerians cried for it and this is the right step to move the country’s electioneering forward.”
While assessing the INEC Chairman Professor Muhammud Yakubu’s tenure Under APC, he stressed, “It is not easy to be a leader, I have led numerous organizations, it is not an easy task, there are lots of challenges but all we need to do is to pray generally for our dear country that things get better.
“I am a true Nigerian and I try as much to contribute my quota to the development of my country daily.”
The Director cleared the air on the misconception between PUAN and National Orientation Agency.
He explained that PUAN is a non governmental organization, and the reason for coming together is to be able to sensitize people at the polling units.
“For every decision that is being made in Nigeria, it starts from the polling unit. The wrong decisions made at the polling unit reflect at the helm of affairs and vice versa. What we are doing is to let people know that we can all change things for better and the best way to start is from the polling unit,” he said.
About the synergy between PUAN and INEC, Amb. Babatunde said, “I seek for positive result always not negative, we are putting all efforts and resources to work with INEC, but they are the government body and we cannot decide for them, likewise INEC cannot decide for us,we will play our roles and they will play theirs so we can get a collective and better result.”
On Anambra election, Amb. Babatunde said he’s leading their delegates to witness the election regardless of challenges, adding that the effort of security agencies and commitment to the protection of the lives and property of Nigerians remain priceless and highly appreciated.
“We have committed ourselves and no matter the situation we must be in Anambra. We have been in worst places, we witnessed Edo election and we are moving to Anambra for smooth conduct of the election.”
