By Tony Adibe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Enugu State has called on the traditional rulers in the state, to do everything necessary within their powers to make sure that the 2023 general elections would be free from violence, thuggery, rancour in every sense.
The commission advised the Enugu native rulers to use their high and respectable positions to appeal to the conscience of the candidates of the various political parties for the elections so that they will play according to the rules rather than attempting to bend the rules.
According to the INEC, since the traditional rulers are the custodians of the peoples culture and tradition, and being the authorities who superintend over the affairs of their respective communities at the grassroots, it strongly believed that the “royal fathers have very important role to play in making the 2023 elections credible and devoid of violence in their various communities.”
INEC stated this to the traditional rulers during an interactive session to seek their partnership in ensuring free and fair elections in their communities. The INEC Administrative Officer in Enugu, Engr. Chidi Nwafor, who is also acting as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) disclosed that the commission would use the traditional rulers for peace keeping in their various communities.
Engr. Nwafor stated: “The aim of the meeting is to provide a platform to enable the electoral body and the Enugu Royal Fathers to exchange ideas on the best ways to avoid violence before, during and after the elections,”
He observed that both the conventional and social media had been awash with disturbing reports of pre-election violence in some parts of the state, hence the need to find ways to curb the situation.
However, the traditional ruler, while acknowledging INEC’s request tasked the commission to make sure that all electoral machines, card readers and logistics for the elections are all put on ground to avoid the ugly previous experiences of dis-efranchising eligible voters,who are eager to exercise their franchise.
NewsBits reports that some of the traditional rulers who attended the event included Igwe, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu, the Chairman , Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Dr Titus Okolo, the traditional ruler of Amorji Nike, Igwe Abel Nwobodo the traditional ruler of Amaragu Nara, in Nkanu West Local Government Area, and many others.
