Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka

Ahead of Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections, Nigerians have been urged to be decorous and peaceful in their conduct; during and after the poll.

Giving the charge in Awka, yesterday former Head of State and leader of the National Peace Committee, General Abdusalami Abubakar;  Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, asked stakeholders in the conduct of the elections to ensure fairness and peace.

They also urged politicians, monarchs, the security services, civil society organizations, the media, and government to be committed to the peaceful conduct of the election on Saturday.

In a joint address, Abdusalami and Kukah told stakeholders at a meeting in Awka, capital of Anambra State, in a speech read on their behalf by the Deputy Director, Administration, of The Kukah Centre, Mr. Duke Anoemuah, that contestants should educate their followers/supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the exercise, as it is only in a peaceful environment that elections could hold.

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“We are here in Anambra state, to extend to you, the good people of the state, an appeal by the NPC, for peaceful conduct of election into the House of Assembly.

“Our distinguished candidates contesting elections are urged to eschew violence and hate speeches and strive to adhere to the peace accord which leaders of the various political parties willingly assented to in Abuja, in December 2018, and February 2019, before the presidential and National Assembly elections.

“The goal of this forum is to sensitize and mobilise stakeholders towards peaceful elections. It is expected to build initiatives, and take measures to strengthen a mutual confidence among stakeholders and political actors, and to encourage peaceful resolution of any election-related disputes with utmost regard to the rule of law and due process.”

The Obi of Onitsha was represented on the occasion by Chief Okey Ononye.