Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has reiterated his commitment to a violence-free process as the November 11 governorship election approaches.
The governor made this known in an address to stakeholders during a pre-election workshop organized by the state government in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) in Owerri on Friday.
Represented by his deputy, Placid Njoku, Uzodimma urged all involved in the electioneering process to ensure a peaceful poll, allowing votes to be duly counted.
He advised politicians against treating the election as a do-or-die affair but rather to abide by the rule of law, ensuring the masses’ will was faithfully reflected in the ballot.
“Politicians using youths to destroy the system should not be given the opportunity to govern.
“Votes must count, and I urge security agencies to go after anyone who attempts to jeopardize the process,” he said.
A representative of AUDA-NEPAD, Gloria Akobundu, highlighted that the promotion of democracy and good governance, one of the African Union’s five pillars, could not be achieved when elections were marred by violence.
She called upon the media and civil society organizations to “blow the trumpet of ‘No Violence’ during the election” and urged all to work together to ensure a peaceful and successful election.