By Collins Osuji, Owerri
Stakeholders in Imo State have urged citizens to renew their confidence in the country’s election process to achieve collective dream of Nigerians. The Imo electorate were advised to embrace efforts that would guarantee credible and peaceful conduct of the November 11 governorship election in the state.
The advice was given at a two-day consultative stakeholders meeting organised by the Kukah Centre, in partnership with Independent State-based Peace Architecture (ISPA), held in Owerri, at the weekend.
The theme of the meeting was: ‘Deepening Stakeholders Participation And Amplifying Citizens Voices Ahead of the 2023 off-cycle Elections in Imo State.’ Prof. Philip Ogbonna of ISPA; Provost, Corporate Social Responsibilities Academy, Austin Onuoha; State Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sunday Odomena; Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council, Ichie Livia Ekeh; Chairman, Owerri North Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Jude Chidi; a member of the Civil Society groups, Majore Ezihe, among others, in their separate speeches expressed worry over the outcome of 2023 elections, especially in the state.
They accused personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies of compromising the credibility and peaceful conduct of the exercise in the state.
While canvassing for active participation in the coming governorship election, they advised citizens to eschew sentiments, and resist attempts to jeopardise efforts to ensure continued peace and unity in the state, as well as ensure that credible leaders are elected to govern the state.
Reacting, the representative of the Police Commissioner, CSP Ngozi Kalu, said the Command had noted the ills of its officers in the past elections, and has put measures in place to not only address fallouts, but also guarantee a credible and peaceful conduct of the coming November 11 poll.
Earlier in his address, Executive Director, the Kukah Centre,
Rev. Fr. Attan Barkindo, represented by the centre’s Project Manager, Emmanuel Nkanta, said: “Achieving credible and peaceful elections in Nigeria remains a collective task that must not be compromised.
“Nigerians should have attitudinal change and cultivate civil values for a healthy and progressive society, as well as for sustainable peace and development of the country.”
Source: The Guardian