A group, United Nations-Peace And Positive Living Awareness Center (UN- PEPOLAC) has called for active participation of Nigerians in the forthcoming general elections to ensure credible poll and good governance.
It said February 25 presidential election would be an examination all citizens must strive to pass for a better Nigeria.
International Coodinator, Rt. Rev. Dr Ozioma Ozoemena stated this at a one day conference on 2023 general elections themed, “Imperatives of Credible and Peaceful Elections And Good Governance In Niger: 2023.”
He described political parties, candidates and their officials as critical stakeholders in providing free, fair and credible elections, but regretted increasing cases of vote buying perpetrated by parties’ canvassers which he said were unhealthy and unacceptable.
“It has become obvious that the coming elections, especially that of the presidential is such that can either make or mar this country; if citizens get it wrong, it will be detrimental to her, hence the theme of the conference,” he said.
Keynote speaker, Prof. Echezona Ifejirika argued that for nation’s democracy to be sustained, groups and individuals must ensure elections were not only peaceful, but credible to produce the right calibre of leaders.
“The time for group and individual to ensure elections in Nigeria are peaceful and credible in order to produce right calibre of leaders that can guarantee good governance to the majority of Nigerian is now,” he said.
State Commissioner Of Police, Echeng Echeng who spoke through his deputy, Richard Ajachukwu absolved security agencies from problems encountered during elections, linking them to political gladiators.
“Our responsibility is clearly spelt out in the constitution which is to ensure calm environment for the election to be peaceful, free, fair and credible,” he said.
