A one-day conference on 2023 general elections has ended with a call on Nigerians to be partners in ensuring its success.
The conference which was organized by the United Nations-Peace and Positive Living Awareness Center (UN- PEPOLAC) in Awka, attracted Traditional Rulers, clergymen, security personnels, Civil Society Organizations, Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC and many other stakeholders in the electoral process.
The conference has the theme ‘Imperatives of Credible and Peaceful Elections and Good Governance in Nigeria 2023’.
In an address of welcome, the International Coordinator UN-PEPOLAC Nigeria, Right Reverend Ozioma Ozoemena said it has become obvious that the coming elections especially that of the presidential could either make or mar the country stressing that if the country got it wrong, it will be detrimental to her, hence the theme of the conference.
Right Reverend Ozoemena further stated that the political candidates, parties and their officials are critical stakeholders in providing credible and peaceful elections regretting the challenges of vote buying that are being perpetrated by the some political parties and their campaigners .
The keynote speaker, Professor Echezona Ifejirika in his presentation while dwelling on the theme, said for Nigeria democracy to be sustained, for the majority of Nigerians to enjoy dividends of democracy and for Nigeria electoral process to be respected by international communities, every effort must be made by the government, group and individuals to ensure that elections in Nigeria are peaceful and credible in order to produce the right caliber of leaders that can guarantee good governance to the majority of Nigerians.
In a goodwill message, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Echeng Echeng who spoke through his Deputy, Mr Richard Ajachukwu on behalf of other Security Agencies said the problems encountered during elections are not from them but rather from the political gladiators, stating that their work is spelt out in the constitution which is to ensure calm environment for the election to be peaceful, free, fair and credible.
Speaking on behalf of the Inter Party Advisory Council, Mr Eminent Uzochukwu maintained that within the ambiance of INEC, all Political Parties are equal and IPAC are nonpartisan, stating that all issues witnessed during the election come from the candidates and their parties .
On behalf of the Clergymen, Bishop Chris Mmadu expressed the hope that God will turn around the problems of the country having heard the lamentations and yearnings of his children.
Representative of Civil Society Organizations, Lady Chinwe Anowai also suggested measures on how to ensure peaceful and credible elections while Comrade Mathias Ameke tasks political parties on way forward .
presentation of certificate of participation by UN-PEPOLAC Coordinator, Bishop Ozoemena to participants featured at the event.
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