Nigeria Former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, (Rtd) has appealed to politicians in Edo State to make a commitment to ensure that the forthcoming Edo governorship election is peaceful, devoid of violence and allows eligible voters to come out to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Gen. Abubakar, who is the Chairman, National Peace Committee made the appeal at the Election Peace and Security Summit, with the theme, “Promoting Unity and Navigating the Path to Peaceful Election”, held in Benin City.
Gen. Abubakar who was represented at the summit by Rev. Father Atta Barkindo, Executive Director, the Kukah Center and Head of Secretariat of the National Peace Committee, said politics should not be taken as war.
He said Politicians should win elections with dignity and allow every citizen to make their voices heard without intimidation during elections, adding that when elections are peaceful, it strengthens democracy.
“According to him, This is the first security summit ahead of an election because of the need to embrace peace. We should also know that violence results in low voter turnout because people are afraid to come out to vote.
“As you demonstrate your commitment to peaceful election, know that peace is a process, not a destination, but a journey to a better future.
Stop the culture of violence so that people can come out to vote and Political leaders should accept defeat honorably.” he added.
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In her opening remarks, Chairperson, Edo State Peace and Mediation Working Committee, Prof. U Igbudu said it is the collective effort of every citizen to ensure that nothing undermines the peaceful conduct of the Edo election, just as he adviced that political leaders should influence their members to embrace peace.
In the same vein, the Executive Director, Kimpact Development Initiative, Bukola Idowu, organizers of the summit, noted that the election in Edo State is very crucial to the citizens to choose who will lead them.
According to him, “we need to put everything in place to have a peaceful election. Let us make a commitment on how to have a peaceful election. Whichever political party wins, they have the responsibility to develop the state,” he said.
While thanking the United Kingdom Agency For International Development, (UKAID), the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and the Nigeria Police Force for supporting the Election Peace and Security Summit, Idowu said it is the expectation that the peaceful outcome of the Edo election will serve as an example for other states to have a peaceful election.
The Senior Political Officer, British High Commission, Adewale Adebayo said the United Kingdom is supporting the election as international observers, adding that everyone should be given the opportunity to vote.
There was a Panel discussion: “Mitigating Electoral Violence through Stakeholders Commitment”, and goodwill messages from the participants which include the Commissioner of Police, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, James Chu, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations, the Resident Anti Corruption Commissioner, ICPC, Mrs. Premo Ayaoge, traditional rulers, political chieftains and the Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ.
The high point of the Summit was the demonstration of commitment by the various stakeholders to a peaceful election on September 21, 2024.
