By Kamsi Anayo
Igbo women under the auspices of “Nkata Ndi Inyom Igbo” have joined its voices to the numerous calls for peaceful elections in the country between Feb. 25 to March 11 and beyond.
The political committee of the group in a statement on Thursday in Awka said there is so much tension and apprehension in the country over the forthcoming general elections.
“We as mothers are worried and wonder whether we are running a democracy, which is a call for choosing our leaders through the ballot box and not by war.
“We call the attention of the candidates and their supporters to the fact that—Voting is a civic responsibility that every citizen of voting age is expected to perform and those who vote are living up to the expectation of the country in exercising their civic
duties.
“Also, in exercising this civic duty, citizens are to perform it with the unfettered right of freewill as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution under Chapter IV on Fundamental Human Rights. No coercion, no intimidation, and no inducement are expected.That is what a democratic election calls for and that is what is expected of us in the forthcoming elections.
“There is no gainsaying that Nigerians have undergone unbearable hardships in the past eight years of the present administration, culminating in youth restiveness and agitation for
transformational leadership.
“The youths are now insisting that they must take back their country on the grounds that the older generation running the affairs of the Nigerian State has performed below par, failed abysmally, and are currently plunging the country into anarchy and chaos.We hear our children and we feel their pulse.
“For all intents and purposes, the youths seem justified in their clamor for change and a better society. There seems to be a general consensus of opinion that things tend to turnout for the worst with each passing day, and there are no indications of any amelioration whatsoever.
“There is a lingering sense of alienation and frustration among the citizenry. Unfortunately, the current Naira redesign has introduced another dimension to them is eries and frustrations that Nigerians are compelled to grapple with. These developments portend serious dangers to the nation,” it added.
It noted that the government need to take immediate steps to nip in the bud the latent tragedies waiting for explosion with proactive alleviation measures aimed at reducing the hardship, suffering, and misery among the populace.
“Such measures are imperative inorder to checkmate uprisings, protests, riots, arson, and other forms of violence likely to rear their ugly heads in the event of continued sustenance of this inglorious status quo of hopelessness.
Having said all these, we emphasize that there is no alternative to a peaceful resolution of issues,” it stated.
It added that the youths must come to terms with the fact that no measure of violence can usher in the Nigeria of their dreams.
“Resorting to violence has never helped in resolving critical issues, most especially at this period in our history when participation in the electoral process will help actualize their dreams and the dream of every well-meaning Nigerian.
To initiate any violent agitation at this critical period would be the surest way of creating a lacuna for manipulation.
“We implore the youths and all Nigerians to embrace peace and be eternally vigilant in protecting our democratic institutions and ensuring that their votes count at the end of the day.
The group also called on INEC to ensure a credible, free, and fair election.
“We call on the security
agencies to ensure that they maintain their apolitical stand in ensuring a hitch-free and fair election by bringing to book any perpetrators of violence in whatever form during the election without fear or favor.
“Finally, we call on the candidates to guard and guide their wards and supporters to be civil in exercising their voting rights,” it added.
