IMO GUBER POLL: RESTORE VOTER CONFIDENCE TO AVOID APATHY — STAKEHOLDERS ADVISE

 
CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The National Peace Committee wants political gladiators and other critical stakeholders in the November 11 governorship election in Imo State to shun violence and work towards peaceful conduct of the poll in the state.

The Executive Director Kukah Centre and Head of the Secretariat National Peace Committee, Abuja, Dr. Atta Barkindo, gave the charge in a message to a two-day Consultative meeting with stakeholders ahead of the off-cycle election in Imo state later this year.

Dr. Barkindo, whose message was delivered by the Project Manager of the Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Nkanta, said the essence of the meeting was to engage relevant bodies to ensure a hitch-free outing.

He appealed to politicians to be humane in the pursuit for power, noting that the no meaningful development would be achieved in any atmosphere devoid of peace.

The Chairman Imo State Independent State-based Peace Architecture (ISPA), Professor Philip Ogbonna, expressed regret that elections were often marred by violence in the country and appealed to youths to have a rethink and avoid being used to scuttle the wish of the electorate.

The Chairman Inter-Party Advisory Council in the state, Chief Levi Ekeh, expressed the optimism that votes would count in the November election but called on security agencies and the electoral umpire to discharge their duties dispassionately.

Some of the participants commended the organizers of the event for bringing stakeholders to the round table.

They however, expressed the fears that the election in the state might witness apathy if deliberate efforts were not made to restore the confidence of the electorate.

The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties, civil society groups, faith based organisations, persons with disability, traditional institutions, youth groups, the Nigeria Bar Association and the Police.

 EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU