INEC, EiE to screen ‘4th Republic’ in universities

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE) have partnered with the producers of ‘4th Republic’, a political thriller, to screen the movie in communities and universities across the country.

The movie features Nollywood heavyweights like Kate Henshaw, Eyinna Nwigwe, Bimbo Manuel, Linda Ejiofor, Yakubu Mohammed and Sani Mu’azu.

The screening partnership also includes the Junior Chambers International (JCI) and National Orientation Agency (NOA).

Produced by Griot Studios Ltd and Amateur Heads Productions, ‘4th Republic’ follows Henshaw’s character (Mabel King) as she races to become Nigeria’s first female governor but is caught up around a heavily marred election.

Ishaya Bako, the movie director, said that the objective of the film was to raise awareness and stir conversation on the Nigerian political and electoral terrain.

“I think it is interesting that the film has gotten such strong and positive responses in each of the screenings we have had,” he said.

“I am grateful that all the hard work from the cast and crew is paying off in this way with such support and collaboration.

“From our fantastic funders, the MacArthur Foundation and OSIWA to a progressive indigenous IT firm, Softcom and their visionary CEO Yomi Adedeji and now government agencies and civil society actors.

“These planned screenings show the power of film to bring people together and also stir conversation about some of the more important issues that affect us in society today.”

It explores the dynamics of politics in Nigeria, the necessity of a better political class, the presence or lack of women in politics and the importance of a fair and incorruptible judiciary.

The film was screened in Bayelsa state on Tuesday as a follow up to the Lokoja screening on September 16 with political stakeholders present.

Both screenings were organized ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Speaking at a screening of the film, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, director of voter education at INEC said, “We believe that voter education should be done through as many media as possible.

“This is art, and Nollywood is one of the frontiers that we think can reach millions of Nigerians,” Osaze-Uzzi said.

Also, Ruth Ogun, director of public enlightenment and mass mobilisation at NOA, said that the film will help citizens know that election violence has no gain.

“The movie describes to us, vividly the issues that arises during elections. With this film, it is shown that there is no gain going the violent way,” she said.

“This is a very good tool and platform in getting the message across. For us, it is a partnership for positive development.”

The partnership with the producers, INEC, JCI and EiE Nigeria will see the film shown in about 18 universities, across the six geo-political zones in the country.