CSO tasks Southeast governors on peace, tolerance
The Civil Society Committee for Anti-Fraud Election Security (CISCAES), a civil society organisation, has tasked governors in the Southeast to ensure atmosphere of peace and tolerance before, during and after the general elections.
Its Convener, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, told a news conference on Monday in Enugu that it would be absurd for governors in the zone to arm touts with dangerous weapons in the guise of running security outfits.
He argued that a state that equipped touts with weapons for elections might find it difficult to retrieve the weapons after the elections, thus encouraging anarchy.
“Elections are not do-or-die affairs but exercises carried out with civility and decorum.
“Attacks on political opponents and individuals end up creating fear and panic in the people.
“The people should exercise their civic right of voting the candidates of their choice freely without fear or despair,’’ he argued.
Iyere called on security agencies to live up to their bidding of protecting lives and ensuring that the elections remained free and fair.
“I call on President Muhammadu Buhari, ECOWAS, UN, EU, U.S. and UK to beam their searchlights on the Southeast and help to restore democracy,’’ he said.
His address was entitled: “the worrisome state of security in the Southeast and its dangerous consequences before, during and after the Elections.’’
Also speaking at the news conference, Mrs Nnenna Alozie, Executive Director of Women for Change Initiative, argued that elections and campaigns needed to be violence-free.
She noted that violence-free elections and campaigns led to inclusiveness and mass participation in the electoral process.
“Women have been calling for safe political space and for all to practice politics of decorum and maturity.
“I advise that politicians in the Southeast display more restraint and commit themselves to peaceful, credible and fair elections to allow for more women in politics,’’ Alozie said. (NAN)
