Group implores stakeholders to ensure peaceful, credible off-cycle polls

The south-east council of traditional rulers and representatives of Igbo archbishops and bishops, have called on the federal and state governments to ensure credible and peaceful off-cycle elections.

The leaders made the call in a joint statement signed by Igwe Agubuzu, chairman of Enugu traditional council; Obi Achebe, chairman of Anambra traditional rulers; Chibuzo Opoko, Methodist archbishop of Umuahia; and Valerian Okeke, catholic archbishop of Onitsha.

Governorship elections will be held in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states on November 11.

The south-east leaders said the general election held in February led to many litigations that further diminished citizens’ confidence in public institutions.

Speaking on the prevailing economic hardship, the leaders said citizens have been left to bear the brunt, while privileged individuals are untouched by the situation.

“The joint body hereby calls on all Nigerians to do their utmost to ensure that the elections take place in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere,” the statement reads.

“This would enable the best candidates to emerge to lead in probably the most perilous times for the country in decades.

“The aftermath of the highly contentious general elections in February and March this year was characterised by a deluge of disputed results that in turn precipitated a plethora of court cases which have left the nation mired in a deepening distrust for public institutions.

“From the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Judiciary, the last hope of the common citizen, our nation’s socio-political fabric has been stretched to the point of sundering.

“Indeed, it is the beneficiaries of the flawed 2023 general elections that are themselves at odds with the masses who voted them into office.

“Divorced and disconnected from the accountability of servant leadership, Nigeria’s political class has adorned the armour of gladiators in pursuit of power by all means.”

The group also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deliver a flawless exercise.

“The public may recall that when the situation in Anambra state was about to boil over and threatened the success of the gubernatorial election in 2019, it was the joint body that stepped into the breach, resulting in a peace agreement between the political class and other stakeholders, including non-state actors,” the statement reads.

“Today, Imo state is uncertain of the desired goal of an orderly, peaceful, harmonious, and unifying gubernatorial election. We must all act and let peace reign.

“We implore the federal and Imo state governments and their relevant agencies to do their utmost to ensure that the election is free, fair and transparent.

“This would eliminate or minimize any post-election disputes and enable the winner to gain the immediate support of the electorate in confronting the challenges at hand.”

The leaders urged voters to come out and choose the candidates of their choice without fear.