2023 Polls: Anambra Monarch, Cleric Urge Youths to Churn political Thuggery, Violence

By Praise Chinecherem

The traditional ruler of Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Bennett Izuchukwu, has warned youths to resist all forms of temptations to be used by politicians to foment trouble during the forthcoming general elections.

The monarch gave the warning on Thursday at a Peace conference themed “Vote, Not Fight: Election No Be War” organised by Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI).

Igwe Izuchukwu described peace as the pivot which the elections would revolve around.

“I urge the youths to shun all attempts to be used as thugs during the elections.

“I urge them to lead the campaign for peaceful elections instead of being used as the instrument of destruction,” he stressed.

While charging Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that votes of Nigerians counted during the elections, the royal father challenged security agencies to be on top of security situations across the country as the exercise drew nearer.

On his part, a cleric and International Coordinator, UN International Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre (UN PEPOLAC), Bishop Festus Ozoemena also called on the electoral umpire to remain unbiased as it provides level playing ground for all political parties.

Ozoemena, the Bishop of Holy Ghost New Life International Church, Nnewi advised both political parties and their candidates to avoid engaging in vote buying, stressing that all hands must be on deck for the elections to be successful.

Meanwhile, the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, represented by Mr Martins Mbajiuwa said the Police and other security agencies were working hard to ensure the successful conduct of the elections in the state.

The State Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Isidore Chikere assured his officers readiness to ensure law and order prevailed before, during and after the polls, urging citizens to feel safe to exercise their franchise during the elections.

Chikere who was represented by the Public Relations Officer, Edwin Okadigbo, urged members of the public to promptly report any potential plot to cause violence in the election to the police, assuring absolute confidentiality.

Earlier, Executive Director, Catch Them Young Community Initiative, Mr Nonso Orakwe described peace as a panacea towards conducting successful elections in the country.

He identified poverty, inequality and marginalization as some of the underlying issues that often led to electoral violence in the past and called for holistic address of the situation.

While charging INEC to ensure that the electoral process was transparent and credible, Orakwe insisted that the conduct of peaceful, free and fair electoral process was essential for the stability and growth of the nation’s democracy.

The conference was attended by youth from across the South East states, officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, National Orientation Agency, NOA; Civil Society Organisations, politicians, traditional rulers, clergies, among other critical stakeholders in the electoral process.