Ahead of Saturday’s Anambra State governorship elections, the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has advised the people of the state to shun all forms of electoral violence and embrace peace.
They also urged stakeholders to ensure that the election is successful by putting in measures that will promote a free, credible, peaceful and safety laden polls come Saturday.
Addressing Journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr Leonard Nzenwa explained that peaceful transfer of power after a free, fair and credible election is the hallmark of representative governance.
He urged all eligible voters in the state to come out enmasse and demonstrate their franchise by voting the candidate of their choice who will pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years.
The National Chairman said “the Anambra State Governorship Election comes up on Saturday 6th November 2021. 18 political parties are participating in this crucial election that will redefine governance in Anambra State and deepen constitutional rule in Nigeria, more so, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that it will adopt electronic transmission of results during the exercise.
“IPAC as the umbrella body of the 18 registered political parties has been in the vanguard for the use of electronic voting and transmission of results which will guarantee free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and generally acceptable elections.
“Council commends the Senate for listening to the Nigerian people who strongly opposed its rejection of electronic transmission of results, reversed itself, passed the bill in support of it and directed INEC to use it in future elections while awaiting Mr President’s assent. This is in tandem with the aspiration of all lovers of democratic governance in Nigeria. The need for transparency and credibility of our electoral process cannot be overemphasized as we jointly consolidate our emerging democracy.
“Election is the beauty of democracy. Peaceful transfer of power after a free, fair and credible election is the hallmark of representative governance. The ballot is sacrosanct. The mandate of the people freely given in an election must be respected for sustainable democracy in the country.
“Accordingly, IPAC calls on all stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure the success of 6th November 2021, gubernatorial poll in Anambra State. We should all set aside individual differences and partisan politics, and work towards the success of this crucial election that will take the good people of Anambra State to the next level”.
The council also warned youths to avoid being used as thugs by politicians to perpetuate violence and truncate peaceful elections.
IPAC however urged all aggrieved individuals to sheath their swords and embrace peace so as to have a credible election in the interest of the state and the nation in general.
“It is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war. Dialogue is vital in resolving individual and group differences and chart the way forward.
“Council calls on the youth to eschew violence in all its ramifications and shun political buccaneers masquerading as democrats whose stock in trade is to use them for electoral thuggery, ballot snatching and rigging to thwart the people’s mandate. It is time to jettison do-or-die politics, imbibe issue-based politics and embrace the people’s choice for governor. We must respect the sanctity of the ballot box as the symbol of democracy.
“IPAC calls on all stakeholders to rise to the occasion, defend our frail democracy and its institutions, and ensure that this Saturday’s governorship election is successful and meets international standards.
“Council urges eligible voters to turn out en masse and vote for their preferred candidates and ensure their votes count in the overall result. The era of vote buying and selling is over. The electorate should not sell their destiny for a mess of electoral porridge. They should vote according to their conscience as power belongs to the people” the council added.
Dr Leonard further urged that security agents discharge their duties professionally and ensure adequate protection of lives and property during the exercise.
Amid concerns on the sit-at home threats on the actual day of the elections, National Chairman Zenith Labour Party, Dan Iwuanyanwu advised the people of the state not to frustrate the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He warned that there would be no vacuum after the elections and urged that eligible voters suspend all forms of agitation and come out in their own interest to vote the candidate of their choice.
