Victor EzejaThe joint body of the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops on peace and reconciliation has called for free, fair and peaceful governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa, and Kogi States.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled Saturday, November 11 for governorship elections in the three states.
Given reports of rising tensions in the three states as the date for the off-season elections approaches, the joint body of the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops said that given what was witnessed during the February and March general elections, it is imperative that necessary measures should be taken by all stakeholders including the electoral umpire, security agencies, community/traditional rulers and political actors to ensure a hitch-free and credible elections so that whoever emerges as winner in each of the states would swiftly swing into action of handling the task of governance.
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The group made the call in a statement jointly signed by HM Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council; Most Rev. Dr Chibuzo R. Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia; HM Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council; and Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha.
“The Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of the Igbo Archbishops and Bishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution (The Joint Body) hereby calls on all Nigerians to do their utmost to ensure that the elections take place in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere. This would enable the best candidates to emerge to lead in probably the most perilous times for the country in decades,” part of the statement read.
The joint body noted that the last general elections which resulted in a series of disputes and a plethora of court cases over the outcomes have stretched the nation’s socio-political fabric “to the point of sundering.”
It further observed that the attitude of political actors who have deviated from the principle of “accountability of servant leadership,” and “adorned the amour of gladiators in pursuit power by all means,” have led to the rise of a “politically-aware and yet disenfranchised younger generation questioning the usurpation of their civic rights and responsibilities to vote and be voted for in the electoral process,” and coupled with the pervasive influence of social media, have raised the new stakes of political activism.
The joint body recalled that during the 2021 governorship election in Anambra State when high tensions threatened the successful conduct of the poll, it rose to the occasion and brokered a peace agreement between the political class and other stakeholders, including non-state actors.
It lamented that with the political and security situation in Imo State today, it is uncertain if that desired goal of an orderly and peaceful conduct of the election would be achieved and therefore called on all to ensure that peace is allowed to reign.
Speaking further on the need for all stakeholders to ensure free, fair and credible polls in the three states, the joint body stated: “We implore the Federal and Imo State Governments and their relevant agencies to do their utmost to ensure that the election is free, fair and transparent. This would eliminate or minimize any post-election disputes and enable the winner to gain the immediate support of the electorate in confronting the challenges at hand.
“We beseech all registered voters to come out in full force to exercise their constitutional rights and responsibilities of voting for the candidates of their choice without fear or favour.
“We urge the electorates to resist any intimidation or efforts to compromise their conscience with cheap financial or material gestures that could provide momentary comfort but impoverish and compromise them for four years or longer through bad governance.
“We remind the electorate, the political class, and candidates for elective office that they share the highest responsibility for strengthening our nascent democratic culture through their lawful conduct.
“We call on the leaders of all political parties and their candidates to remind their supporters, stakeholders, and party faithful, to commit unequivocally to non-violence and maintenance of peace during the elections and beyond.”
The group also called on INEC to “rise to its statutory mandate in delivering a flawless election with all the technology and human capacity at its disposal.
It also called on security agencies to step up measures to ensure that elections are conducted under a safe atmosphere and guarantee the peaceful and free movement of people who come out to exercise their civic rights.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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