By Blessing Odega,
Jos – As Nigerians prepare for the 2019 general polls, Prof. Audu Gambo of the Department of Political Science, University of Jos, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fair election acceptable to all.
Gambo threw the challenge on Tuesday in Jos, in a keynote address at a town hall meeting organised by the Plateau Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
The meeting, which was organised in partnership with Knorad–Adenauer-Stiftung, an international organisation, had the theme “The benefits of violence-free elections in Plateau State”.
According to him, violence is not likely to occur when candidates of various political parties have faith and confidence in the process.
He further called on INEC staff, both ad hoc and permanent, to purge themselves of greed in order not to compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Gambo similarly called on the various security agencies deployed on election duty to be neutral and non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.
He called on them to be driven by the interest of the nation, noting that violence was less likely to occur if the candidates did not perceive compromise.
He charged the youths, who are usually used to perpetuate violence, to have a rethink by imbibing the culture of national ethics as prescribed by the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The youths should not support those politicians who sponsor sectarian violence because their schemes are targeted at destroying the society for selfish reasons,” he said.
He further cautioned the youths against political, ethnic and religious intolerance.
According to him, if the 2019 elections are conducted without violence, there will be more development in the country as the funds usually used for resettling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), will be deployed into useful projects.
Earlier, Mr Solomon Olasupo, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, had enjoined the participants to pay close attention to, and participate fully to the discussions.
He further enjoined them to sensitize people in their various communities on the benefits of having violence free elections.
In his remarks, Gov. Simon Lalong commended the NSCDC for organising the town hall meeting, saying that it was very salient and pertinent.
Lalong, who was represented by Mr Joseph Lengman, Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, tasked the participants to be frank in their discussions.
Mr Hamisu Bello, one of the participants, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), expressed gratitude to the organisers of the town hall meeting, saying that he had learnt a lot on the benefits of having a peaceful elections.(NAN)
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