The Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, has warned politicians against hate speeches during campaigns, saying such could incite fears and discourage the full participation of voters in the electoral process.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the INEC state Administration secretary, Mr Charles Mbanaja, gave the warning during a one-day Stakeholders Roundtable meeting organised by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Nigeria, in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA), with chairmen, secretaries of political parties, youth leaders, Traditional Rulers, some media Organizations, Civil Society Organisation, governorship candidates and their deputies for the 2017 governorship election held at the Best Western Hotel Awka, yesterday.
He said one of the inherent dangers in hate speeches and name callings during campaigns, was that it sends a very bad signal to the electorate who, in turn, would be wary of their safety and therefore, choose to boycott the election to the detriment of the political party.
The Anambra State INEC boss, however, noted that for the benefit of all, it is pertinent that the governorship candidates should strive to use more dignifying words and tell the electorate their plans rather than indulging in mudslinging and name callings during their political campaigns.
The REC said the commission has done all in its capacity to ensure equity and fairness in its activities through series of programmes and stakeholders’ meetings being organized by the body with a view to fostering a peaceful and credible election in the state.
Speaking in the same vein, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Allajaji Garuba Umar. Who was also represented at the Stakeholders meeting by his Deputy, Sir Mike Okoli, urged the politicians to play by the rules, assuring that the police will remain neutral and ensure the safety of lives and property before, during and after the
election.
He also assured politicians that the election would remain one of the most peaceful in the state as the body would deploy all its resources to making it peaceful. “The luck Anambra State is having is that it is the only state having an election to conduct. And on this note, all our sister agencies would be on ground to render helping hands to make
it peaceful”, he said.
The Anambra Police boss called on those having genuine complaints to do so while stressing that parties having their political rally should notify the police before embarking on a campaign to enable them provide the adequate security they deserve.
On his remarks, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, represented by the Director, Political, Civil, Ethics and Values (NOA) Abuja, Mrs Ngozi Ekeoba said the Agency is mandated to sensitise, Orientate and mobilise the populace on government programmes and policies, by creating the avenues where our
political class at the top would be able to rub minds in order to smoothen the rough edges and find solutions to unhealthy situations which are paramount to a successful election.
As an Agency, we would want to have a Nigeria, where our political parties will be ideologically based, where politicians will be principled and where elections will be devoid of violence (not a do or die affair), she said.
The Country Director of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS),and the convener, Mrs Hildegard Behrendt-Kigozi, on her part said Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), organized this roundtable meeting to further expand the spaces for dialogue and fruitful engagement that will deepen the roots and principles of sustainable democracy in Anambra State and Nigeria at large.
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) is a German non-profit Foundation named after the first Chancellor of Germany, Konrad Adenauer. The Foundation was established in 1955.
KAS has been in Nigeria for over 15 years and we based in Abuja, but work all over the country with Parliamentarians, Civil Society Organizations, the Media, the Armed Forces and Para- Military agencies through organizing Workshops, Seminars, town hall and round-table meetings in focal states where burning issues are discussed and citizens engage their elected representatives in discussions, she explained.
While delivering a lecture on the topic: Credible elections and sustainable Democracy the Dean, School of PostGraduate Studies, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State, Professor Obiajulu S.A Obikeze said Democracy has come to stay and it must, therefore, be protected by ensuring that political parties and other electoral stakeholders create an atmosphere that will increase citizens confidence in the electoral process.
He, therefore, called on all stakeholders especially in the media industry to always balance their reports before dissemination and politicians to desist from making inflammatory statements that could further heat up the policy in the state, adding that they should bear it in mind that the state belongs to everyone and they must work together to safeguard it.
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