A civil society group known as Vote, Not Fight, Anambra State Branch has taken campaign against violence to the streets of Awka and environs in sensitizing the youths and critical stakeholders in the state ahead of the general elections, on the need to shun violence before, during and after the election.
The group which took off from the Awka South Local Government Area to the State Police headquarters Amawbia through Zik’s Avenue to Eke Awka, to Arroma junction and terminated at INEC Headquarters Awka.
The Peace Walk tagged “National Day of Action” seeks to enlighten the general public and key stakeholders in the electoral process that election is not a do or die affair.
The state Coordinator Vote Not Fight Mr. Chukwura Chukwuma, said that the walk is a way of partnering stakeholders in electoral process to ensure peace before, during and after the election, urging the INEC and security agencies to continue to do more for the success of the elections.
Mr. Chukwuma noted that the advocacy visit was necessary as the youths are mostly used to perpetrate violence and advised young people to stand firm and resolute against vote buying, electoral violence and hate speech.
Responding , the state Commissioner of Police Mr. Garba Umar, who spoke through his Deputy Mr. Chris Owolabi and the State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, represented by the Head of Department Voter Education and Publicity Mr. Leo Ikedife, commended initiatives by various youth groups in the state towards promoting voter education noting that it would go a long way in convincing the people to shun violence during the election and urged the electorate who have not collected their permanent voter cards to do so before the deadline which is Friday this week.
In their various remarks the Director Shoulder for Gender Support and Development Initiative Mrs. Chioma Okeke and state Coordinator Not Too Young To Run Mr. Nonso Orakwe, acknowledged that the walk has been impactful as youths are the best instrument for sensitizing one another against trend of misconducts during elections and reminded them that election is not war and as such all should participate and ensure cordiality at all times.
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