Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has reiterated his commitment to a nonviolent process as the November 11 gubernatorial election approaches.
The governor made the remarks on Friday during a pre-election workshop in Owerri. It was conducted by the state government in partnership with the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development.
Uzodimma was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku at the event. He urged electoral stakeholders to work together to ensure a peaceful election so that ballots could be counted.
Uzodimmacounselled lawmakers not to make the election a do-or-die situation. He admonished them to follow the rule of law so that the will of the people is represented in the ballot.
He stated-
“Politicians using youths to destroy the system should not be allowed to govern. Votes must count and I urge security agencies to go after anyone who attempts to jeopardise the process”.
One of the five pillars of the AU is ‘the promotion of democracy and good governance‘. According to AUDA-NEPAD delegate, Gloria Akobundu, this cannot be fulfilled in countries where elections are marred by violence.
She pleaded with the media and civil society groups to “blow the trumpet of ‘No Violence’ during the election” and urged everyone to pitch in to make sure the poll was peaceful and successful.
According to The News Agency of Nigeria, one of the workshop’s highlights was a road match in which participants attempted to publicly educate state citizens about the benefits of peaceful elections.
cc: Punch Ng
