Politicians have been tasked to avoid actions that could lead to violence, before, during and after the general elections.
A peace summit with the theme: Vote, don’t kill!, organised by members of a political group called Project Tonye Patrick Cole, in Port Harcourt the Rivers State Capital, on November 17, 2018, engaged stakeholders on increasing rates of violence and the need for politicians to end the trend.
The coordinator of the group, Gloria Boma Harry, observed that development can only thrive in an environment of peace.
She said, violent attacks on the electorates in recent times, is a source of concern to the group. Reiterating that the peace summit which marks the beginning of a peace crusade in the state, has become necessary to avert he recurrence of spate of killings experienced during 2015 general elections, she called on political leaders to see politics as an avenue to serve citizens and not a do or die affair.
Harry admonished participants at the summit to spread the message of peace to their various communities.
On his part, the representative of NDLEA and Deputy State Commander Admin and logistics, Isah Likita Mohammed, outlined the negative effects of illicit drugs on citizens.
He noted that the abuse of hard drugs and electoral violence are closely linked , stressing that youths should desist from consuming hard drugs and engaging in electoral violence , which has caused unimaginable damage to the society.
The keynote speaker, who is a former Member of the House of Representatives, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said Rivers State has had its fair share of violence, which started during the regime of former Rivers state governor Peter Odili in 1999.
He observed that despite efforts by his successor and current Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to eliminate the activities of political thugs and criminals, which led to the return of the state to a point of peace, the Nyesom Wike led administration has returned the state to an era of violence.
He called on stakeholders to weigh the odds in engaging in political violence and work towards returning the state to the era of peace.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow Africa Update Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!
