Also, the guest speaker at the sensitisation workshop for Ekiti State political parties and other stakeholders in 2014 gubernatorial election, Kunle Fagbemi, noted that for democracy to work, everybody must agree to accept the results of a free and fair election, while all contestants are also expected to relate with one another in a good sportsmanship atmosphere.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria,.. reffery Hawkins, in his goodwill message at the workshop said it was worrisome that political leaders were sending the message of ‘rig and roast’ as the elections approach, saying such would not augur well for peaceful conduct of the elections.
According to him, "Rig and roast is not the kind of message Nigerian youths should hear from their leaders."
The US envoy contended that it was wrong for politicians to send messages of violence when elections are coming, saying in view of the recent carnage in the country, the message of peace was of utmost importance.
He said Nigerian politicians must learn to accept defeat, adding: "The Nigerian electoral process is as good as Nigerians make it."
Hawkins was reacting to a recent message attributed to a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, in which he allegedly threatened that election riggers must be dealt with by the people.
While speaking further, Fagbemi, who urged the politicians to play the game according to the rules, recalled what happened in the old Ondo State during the political imbroglio that left many dead, with properties destroyed.
“The territory today known as Ekiti State had its own fair share of the challenges, in fact, it contributed to the ugly national picture.
“The political parties and actors in any viable democracy who seek to ensure democratic sustenance must develop clear communication strategy to convey their campaign messages.
“They must avoid the use of abusive languages. Stakeholders must avoid the use of caustic languages. The contents of campaign messages should conform to provisions of the law."
Also, in his goodwill message, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, decried the spate of violence saying it was frightening.
Jega, who was represented by Professor Lai Olurode, said: "INEC reads with trepidation what happens at campaigns in Ekiti State and we are not happy that there is violence. There must be a secure environment for elections."
He said the state had been termed a state with highest literacy rate in the country noting that "if truly you have the highest literacy rate in the country, then let it be proven on June 21 because Literacy and peaceful conduct of elections must go together."
Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, said the workshop was the fourth in the series after those in Edo, Ondo and Anambra States elections, adding that the main thrust of the Ekiti State workshop was "to replicate the success achieved in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states governorship elections through deliberations and exchange of ideas."
Obi expressed the hope that "all political parties would join hands together to provide an environment appropriate for economic development and growth in the country, leading to sustained wealth creation and poverty reduction.
Meanwhile, apparently worried by the spate of pre-election violence in Ekiti State, Traditional Rulers in the state are considering meeting President Goodluck Jonathan in order to prevail on the political actors in the forthcoming election in the state.
The Council of Traditional Rulers also agreed to invite both the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Halilu Pai, on the yet-to-be collected voters’ cards and the security operatives in the state to intimate the council on the plans to curb political violence.
“With what is happening now, we are worried and we had some lines of suggestion that there is the need be for us to meet the president and let him know that we in Ekiti State need peace before, during and after the election, we would.
“Secondly that we need to meet the security operatives in the state so that we can let them know that we are worried and concerned, and for them to get prepared for the June 21 election,” the council said.
Earlier in his remarks, the state Governor, Kayode Fayemi, had thanked the monarchs for their support in ensuring that peace reign in their communities; adding that they still need to intensify efforts at curbing the trends of violence which is beginning to characterise politics in the state.
The Governor who is also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming poll urged the traditional rulers to talk to politicians in their domains to shun the politics of bitterness and acrimony; saying if the 2011 general elections could be done peacefully, why then would campaigns be full of violence?
The US Ambassador to Nigeria,.. reffery Hawkins, in his goodwill message at the workshop said it was worrisome that political leaders were sending the message of ‘rig and roast’ as the elections approach, saying such would not augur well for peaceful conduct of the elections.
According to him, "Rig and roast is not the kind of message Nigerian youths should hear from their leaders."
The US envoy contended that it was wrong for politicians to send messages of violence when elections are coming, saying in view of the recent carnage in the country, the message of peace was of utmost importance.
He said Nigerian politicians must learn to accept defeat, adding: "The Nigerian electoral process is as good as Nigerians make it."
Hawkins was reacting to a recent message attributed to a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, in which he allegedly threatened that election riggers must be dealt with by the people.
While speaking further, Fagbemi, who urged the politicians to play the game according to the rules, recalled what happened in the old Ondo State during the political imbroglio that left many dead, with properties destroyed.
“The territory today known as Ekiti State had its own fair share of the challenges, in fact, it contributed to the ugly national picture.
“The political parties and actors in any viable democracy who seek to ensure democratic sustenance must develop clear communication strategy to convey their campaign messages.
“They must avoid the use of abusive languages. Stakeholders must avoid the use of caustic languages. The contents of campaign messages should conform to provisions of the law."
Also, in his goodwill message, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, decried the spate of violence saying it was frightening.
Jega, who was represented by Professor Lai Olurode, said: "INEC reads with trepidation what happens at campaigns in Ekiti State and we are not happy that there is violence. There must be a secure environment for elections."
He said the state had been termed a state with highest literacy rate in the country noting that "if truly you have the highest literacy rate in the country, then let it be proven on June 21 because Literacy and peaceful conduct of elections must go together."
Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, said the workshop was the fourth in the series after those in Edo, Ondo and Anambra States elections, adding that the main thrust of the Ekiti State workshop was "to replicate the success achieved in Edo, Ondo and Anambra states governorship elections through deliberations and exchange of ideas."
Obi expressed the hope that "all political parties would join hands together to provide an environment appropriate for economic development and growth in the country, leading to sustained wealth creation and poverty reduction.
Meanwhile, apparently worried by the spate of pre-election violence in Ekiti State, Traditional Rulers in the state are considering meeting President Goodluck Jonathan in order to prevail on the political actors in the forthcoming election in the state.
The Council of Traditional Rulers also agreed to invite both the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Halilu Pai, on the yet-to-be collected voters’ cards and the security operatives in the state to intimate the council on the plans to curb political violence.
“With what is happening now, we are worried and we had some lines of suggestion that there is the need be for us to meet the president and let him know that we in Ekiti State need peace before, during and after the election, we would.
“Secondly that we need to meet the security operatives in the state so that we can let them know that we are worried and concerned, and for them to get prepared for the June 21 election,” the council said.
Earlier in his remarks, the state Governor, Kayode Fayemi, had thanked the monarchs for their support in ensuring that peace reign in their communities; adding that they still need to intensify efforts at curbing the trends of violence which is beginning to characterise politics in the state.
The Governor who is also the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming poll urged the traditional rulers to talk to politicians in their domains to shun the politics of bitterness and acrimony; saying if the 2011 general elections could be done peacefully, why then would campaigns be full of violence?
No comments:
Post a Comment