The Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe has called on the Candidates of Political Parties to campaign based on issues that are of significant concern to people rather than making provocative and inciting statement.
Dr. Igwe made the call at a-one-day Peace Summit organized by Ikwo Development Union IDU, in collaboration with Association of Ikwo Noyo Media Practitioners and Christian Association of Nigeria, Ikwo Local Government Chapter at Ebonyi State College of Education Ikwo.
The summit was put together for party candidates to sign peace pact as part of efforts to achieve smooth conduct of the forthcoming 2023 general elections in Ikwo.
The Deputy Governor who was represented by the Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Council, Mr. Sunday Nwankwo said several elections in the country have been marred by violence , leading to loss of lives and properties and urged candidates of political parties and their supporters to address issues that are fundamental and promote respect and tolerance of differences.
The Chairman of the Occasion and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Nwanchor Elechi while eulogizing Ikwo Development Union, Association of Ikwo Noyo Media Practitioners and Christian Association of Nigeria, Ikwo Chapter for the initiative, expressed the hope that the event would stand as a reference point for good in future.
The National President, Ikwo Development Union, Elder Sam Nte Egwu who expressed the view that threat to life and unguided statements which politicians make in the course of campaigns always trigger electoral violence, said Ikwo would not afford to shade blood in the forthcoming elections.
In a lecture tilted: ” Politics Without Bloodletting: A must for Ikwo Glorious Development”, the Parish Priest, Saint Bonaventure Parish, Abakaliki, Rev Ifeanyi Ogodo enjoined Youths to resist the temptation of taking bad instructions from politicians, just as he reminded politicians that everybody cannot be a winner in any given contest.
The National President, Association of Ikwo Noyo Media Practitioners, Comrade Samuel Nwanchor advised politicians to desist from politics of calumny and bigotry but focus on issues such as justice, security of lives and social development so as to achieve an overall peace and unity in the area.
In their goodwill messages, an Elder Stateman, Chief Okeagu Ogadah, Eze Dominic Ibor Alo, Dr. Onyinyechi Nwankwo, Mrs. Ngozi Igwe and Bishop Godwin Awoke among others urged party supporters, religious and opinion Leaders to be cautious in their verbal attacks on political candidates, adding that halting of hate preaching” by religious leaders would help achieve hitch free elections.
The also advised political parties to take the non – violence accord seriously, adding that there would be no sacred cow should there be violation of the peace pact.
The event featured signing of peace pact, prayers and cutting of peace cake.
