An NGO, African Centre for Entrepreneurship and Information Development (ACEIDEV) has urged residents of Akwanga in Nasarawa State to embrace peace during the forthcoming general elections.
Mr James Ugochukwu, the group’s Executive Director made the call in Akwanga on Thursday during a sensitization workshop against electoral violence.
He said the exercise was a road map campaign towards changing the narratives of elections in the state and Nigeria at large.
Ugochukwu said the sensitization campaign tagged ‘Mitigating and Curbing Election Violence’ would be carried out across the state.
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According to him, the intention is to make the public to be peaceful even in the face of provocation before, during and after the general elections.
The ACEIDEV executive director said his organisation was deeply interested in the success of the general election, adding, “peace is fundamental to a successful election”
“We shall be engaging traditional rulers, community and faith-based institutions, youth groups, associations and the media to carry out this crusade.
“With these targets, we are sure to reach out to the generality of the people, we are cognizant of the influence of these stakeholders,” he said.
He called on politicians and their supporters not to see the election as ` a do or die affair’ but a healthy contest that would give rise to a leader.
“Election is an opportunity for the electorate to express their civic responsibility through the ballot, it has to be done peacefully,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Chun Mada of Mada land, Samson Gamu-Yare commended ACEIDEV for the initiative, describing it as timely and of good intention.
He called on the people of the area to take the message brought by the group very seriously in the interest of peaceful and credible polls.
“Personally, I use my position as a traditional ruler to preach for peaceful co-existence and harmony.
“With the elections almost here, we must as a people put up a peaceful disposition so that the process can be successful,” he said. (NAN)