By Ibe Pascal, Owerri
Stakeholders in Imo State have urged the citizens to renew their confidence in electioneering process of the country, “as a means to achieve Nigeria of our collective dream.”
The Imo electorate were advised to embrace and encourage efforts that would guarantee credible and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming November 11th governorship elections in the state.
The call was made at the 2-day consultative stakeholders meeting organized by the Kukah Centre in partnership with Imo State Independent State-based Peace Architecture (ISPA) held in Owerri, weekend on the theme: “Deepening Stakeholders Participation and Amplifying Citizens Voices Ahead of the 2023 off-cycle Elections in Imo State.”
Prof. Philip Ogbonna of the ISPA; Mr. Austin Onuoha, Provost, Corporate Social Responsibilities Academy; Pastor Sunday Odomena, State Secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN; Ichie Livia Ekeh, Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council; Eze Jude Chidi, Chairman Owerri North Council of Traditional Rulers; Mrs. Majore Ezihe of the Civil Society groups, 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 and officers of other security agencies of compromising the credibility and peaceful conduct of the 2023 election exercise in the state.
While canvassing for active participation in the coming elections in the state, they also advised the citizens to eschew sentiment and resist attempt that would jeopardize efforts for continued peace and unity of the state, as well as ensure that the state is governed by credible leader(s).
Reacting, the representative of the state Police Commissioner, CSP Ngozi Kalu said the command had noted the ills of its officers in the past elections and has put in measures to not only address the fallouts but also guarantee a credible and peaceful conduct of the coming Nov. 11th poll.
Earlier in his address, Rev. Fr. Attan Barkindo, Executive Director, the Kukah Center, 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.
He said, “Nigerians should have attitudinal change and cultivate civil values for a healthy and progressive human society as well as for sustainable peace and development of the country.”