Elections: Nsukka Ezue advocates for free, peaceful polls

By Agency Report 

As the general elections in draw closer, a socio-cultural group under the aegis of ”Nsukka Ezue” has advocated for free and peaceful elections

The group made the call in Nsukka on Thursday during a political dialogue tagged "Free and Peaceful 2023 Election in Nigeria: Focus on Enugu North Senatorial Zone" was organized by the Nsukka Ezue

The event  was attended by representatives of political parties, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, academia among others.

In a remark, Prof. Damian Opata, the Chairman of the group  said that, the group is a non-partisan that was  committed to peaceful, fair, and credible  elections.

Opata said that the forthcoming general elections would be  different from past elections because of electoral Act 2022.

"Enugu North Senatorial District is men and women who are peaceful and responsible. We are brothers and sisters. After the elections, we shall remain brothers and sisters.

"In 2023 elections, votes will count, and rigging will be almost impossible"he said.

According to Opata, Biomodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) the new  technology acquired by INEC would secure fair and free elections.

He said it would also reduce election violence, thuggery, ballot snatching, among others.

Opata said further that the group  was against the use of abusive language on social media platforms by  some political party candidates and their supporters

"It is frightening that we now have a lot of abusive language and violent rhetoric pulsating in different social media platforms.

"This is not what the good people of Nsukka zone are known for, we can not afford to thwart our value and brotherhood simply because of elections.

"We need a free and peaceful election in our zone in particular and Nigeria in general, Nsukka Ezue is appealing  to all persons of voting age to troop out massively and peacefully to vote for candidates of their choice.

"We plead with our people to shun violence and thuggery. Life is not two, life is dear. It is precious. Let us pledge to ourselves that we shall vote in peace and go home in peace," he appealed.

Speaking Prof Fab Onah, Department of Public Administration and Local Government University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) said that for Nigerians to  achieve the change they desire they must participate actively in the forthcoming general elections.

He recalled that, one of the major factors that have affected past elections in the country was apathy arising from the notion that votes would not count.

"We should all come out en mass to vote for the candidate of our choice as well as see our PVC as our own AK47 to vote the right candidate to victory," he said.

Also speaking, Prof Ike Onyishi, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNN said that, 2022 Electoral Act was  a game changer in the forth coming election as it would  eliminate electoral malpractices such as rigging, manual writing of election results, among others.

"The introduction of BVAS in the 2022 Electoral Act is a game changer that will make every vote to count.

"The era of snatching of ballot boxes is over,rigging, falsifying results since all results will be transmitted to INEC portal electronically.

"Nigeria should feel free to vote candidate of their choice on February 25 and March 11 polls and ensure that the elections are peaceful, free and fair," he said.

Another resource person, Prof Fabian  Ezema department of Physics UNN  advised Nigerians to vote for candidates that have fear of God and good human relations since when the righteous is on the throne, the people would rejoice.

Earlier, Igwe Joe Anikwe, the Traditional ruler of Diogbo Community in Igbo-Etite LGA who chaired the event, commended Nsukka Ezue for organising the event.

Anikwe urged Nigerians to put the interest of the country first by being peace as well as voting the best candidates during the general elections.

(NAN)