By Chibiike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu has reminded the residents of Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo where the off-cycle election will be conducted tomorrow that election is a civic duty, urging them not to succumb to panic or fear.
According to him, choosing leaders who will govern the states for the next four years is a vital responsibility, and failure to vote for their preferred candidates could be perceived as disinterest in the development of their states.
He therefore urged the voters to turn out in their large numbers to cast their votes for candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation or harassment, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to a secure, free, fair and credible election.
Disclosing this on Friday in a stetement released by Deputy Director, Press Paul Odenyi made available to Sundiata Post, the DG therefore assured that the federal government has deployed security operatives to safeguard the electoral proceedings and maintain peace.
In acknowledging the efforts of key stakeholders, Issa-Onilu commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for orchestrating robust security measures to ensure a successful election day with minimal risk to lives and property. He also expressed appreciation for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their timely deployment of electoral materials to the states, highlighting their preparedness in fulfilling their electoral mandate.
The Director General said over the past four months, the Agency has been implementing a voter education programme that has spread from the states capitals to local governments and the ward level. “Our hope is that these enlightenment outreaches have created the much needed condition for massive participation of voters in the election in the three states. We have also interacted with the security agencies, INEC officials and civil society in furtherance of our campaign to achieve minimal voter apathy, curb violence, increased understanding of the new electoral act and peaceful environment for the election.” He said.
According to him, election should be a peaceful process of leadership recruitment which does not require the show of force, however regretting that over the years political actors have devised several means including violence to win and entrench themselves in power.