The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers warned youths not to be employed as thugs before, during, and after the March 18 gubernatorial and state legislature elections on Thursday.
The declaration was signed by Lawrence Agubuzu, chairman of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, and Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha and chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Joseph Nwabeke, the Ezeamara of Eziama Ntigha and chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, and E.C. Okeke, the Eze Udo II and chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, also signed.
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According to the statement, the rulers were aware of rumors circulating in the region that some individuals planned to use violence to disrupt the March 18 polls.
“The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers request as follows: That all the youths in the South-East are hereby requested to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections,” stated the Igbo rulers. “All the youth, whether indigenous or not, in the South-East, should not lend themselves as tools in the hands of political parties for the purpose of causing violence on the election day.”
They urged political parties to honour the peace accord they signed, ensuring “they do not recruit and arm thugs” to disrupt the elections.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be truly professional and impartial in the discharge of their duties before, during and after the elections. The law enforcement agencies should equally be professional and impartial to promptly and firmly stop or deal with those who try to commit electoral offences,” the rulers added.
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They pointed out that insecurity had recently resulted in senseless violence and bloodshed in the South-East.
“It is, therefore, the strongest desire of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers that this forthcoming election should become free, fair, credible and violence-free,” said the Igbo rulers.
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