Abuja – The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has enjoined politicians and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully during the FCT Area Council elections holding on Saturday.
The Director-General of the institute, Prof. Oshita Oshita, made the call in a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Mr Abu Michael in Abuja.
Oshita regretted that electoral violence had been responsible for the avoidable death of a number of people in the country.
Therefore, he said, it was now time for all well-meaning Nigerians to rise up against all forms of political violence in the country.
“As politicians, we must continue to respect the lives of all Nigerians and treat them as sacred.
“As youths, we should not allow evil-minded politicians and other actors to continue to use us against one another and destabilising the polity,” he said.
The director-general said that Abuja remained the pride of Nigeria, cautioning politicians to ensure decorum in the conduct of the polls.
He also appealed to politicians in the country not to regard elections as a do-or-die affair but a game meant to promote the improvement of the socio-economic status of the people.
He said politicians instigating violence were not worthy of leadership and should not go unpunished.
He also appealed to political parties’ supporters and the youth in general not to allow themselves to be used by self-serving and greedy politicians no matter what.
Oshita urged all Nigerians to work hard toward engendering peaceful atmosphere for the achievement of the laudable programmes of the Federal Government for the benefit of all.
He expressed the need for the electorate to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to ensure hitch-free elections.
“As law-abiding citizens, Nigerians should learn to respect the constitution of the country no matter the grievances with the processes of the elections,” he stressed. (NAN)