By Ochiaka Ugwu
A call has been made to Nigerians to embrace peace during and after February elections.
The call was made in Abuja in press conference organized by African Union / Diaspora African Forum and Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development (SCDDD).
While addressing the gathering in a message tagged “I Pledge Peace” Campaign, the Founder and Head of Mission, African Union/Diaspora African Forum (AUDAF), H.E Dr. Erieka Bennett said the campaign seeks to enlist such a commitment to peace from the citizenry.
She stated that what happens in Nigeria affects the whole continent of Africa, urging that we should strive hard to get it right as the whole world is watching the process.
Bennett who described the campaign as a proactive grass roots campaign to insure peaceful elections, expressed optimism that Nigeria will get it right this time around.
She hailed the signing of “Abuja Peace Accord” by 11 presidential candidates and the subsequent “Nigeria 2015 Elections & Beyond Stakeholders” conference which she said has brought national leadership in alignment with the national aim of peaceful elections and smooth transitions.
Her words: “On February 14, 2015, the Nigerian national elections will take place. Presidential elections and eighteen State Governors elections will be contested. To ensure peaceful elections and a smooth transition, eleven Presidential Candidates have signed a historic “Abuja Accord” agreeing to shun words and actions which could lead to violence before, during and after the elections. This was followed by the Nigeria 2015 Elections & Beyond Stakeholders Conference on the role of State and Non-State actors in mitigating violence in elections”.
However, the Chairperson of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) FCT Chapter and the anchor of the event, Ms. Felicia Chukwurah while speaking to newsmen after the event urged Nigerians to come out and participate fully in the election by voting the right candidates that will improve their living conditions.
She also pledged the readiness of her association to partner with any stakeholder towards making the election hitch free.
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