…As Ogbuku sues for peaceful process
From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has appealed to youths of Rivers State to conduct themselves in peaceful manner as the 2023 general elections begins in the country on February 25.
Ogbuku, who spoke in a day workshop by NDDC and “Queen and Pet Koncept Initiative” (QPKI), a non- governmental organization in the state, appealed to the youths to reject any inducement by any politician or their agents that would change their decision from their preferred candidate.
Speaking through his Special Assistant (SA) on Youth, Matthew Dango, the MD/CEO noted that violence brings major setbacks and electoral violence stampede on the progress of the nation, promotes aparthy and can also lead to death.
He urged the youths to go out and vote according to their conscience and maintain peaceful dispositions through the period and even after.
He said: “Go out there and cast your votes to the candidate of your choice freely and peacefully, follow your minds, avoid any act that can disrupt the process, cause violence and probably lead to suspension of the poll, say no to all forms of violence in the elections.”
Also addressing the youths, the State Director, National Orientation Agency NOA, Yong Ayo-Tamuno, assured of a peaceful elections in the state, but pleaded with the youths to support the police on election duties in their place and say no to vote-buying and selling.
Tamuno insisted on the need for everybody, particularly the youths, to make the process free and peaceful by sticking to the rules of engagement; by saying no to violence at any time in the elections.
“When you get to your polling unit, maintain the peace, maintain law and order, don’t get to the pathway law and order, so that we don’t have ourselves to blame.
“Cooperate and assist the Police and other security agencies on election duties in your areas by providing useful information that will promote the needed peaceful environment for the conduct of the process without hitches.
“Elections will come and go and our society will remain. If you kill anybody or decide to kill yourself, society will continue.”
In his comments, the spokesman of the QPKI, Sodin Akiagba, said the NGO was concerned about the safety of the electorate, following the increasing rate of electoral violence across the nation; hence, the initiative.
Akiagba noted that the consequences of electoral violence cannot be over-emphasised, describing it as grave. He lauded NDDC for the support towards the success of the event.
He said the workshop would be held beyond the nine state of the Niger Delta region to raise awareness through proper orientation on why the youths must stay away from electoral violence.
Earlier, the Director, Youth, Sports, Women and Culture Directorate, Ephraim Effiong, had regretted that many youths have been killed at elections, and appealed that the number should not increase further with this year’s exercise.
Effiong spoke through Mrs. Anthonia Akpan, a director in his office, and appealed to the youths to be determined to ensure a non-violence polls.