By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
As the local government elections in Kaduna State, scheduled for October 19, 2024, approach, peace-building stakeholders are advocating for a peaceful electoral process.
The Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ), in collaboration with the Conflict Mitigation and Management Regional Council (CMMRC) and Community Peace Observers (CPO), has called for peaceful elections across all 23 local government areas.
In a press release issued in Kaduna, Ibrahima Yakubu, a leading member of the NPJ, stressed the importance of unity among all stakeholders to ensure a smooth electoral process. He urged politicians to work closely with civil society organizations to promote peace and unity, while encouraging citizens to actively vote for credible candidates.
Yakubu also made a special appeal to the youth, urging them to reject violence, thuggery, and any form of misconduct before, during, and after the elections. He called on religious leaders to continue praying for peaceful elections and emphasized the need to protect journalists during this crucial time.
Additionally, he requested that media organizations provide journalists with the necessary resources for effective reporting on election-related issues. He also warned against the spread of unofficial election results on social media, urging citizens to rely only on verified information.
The group further called on INEC to ensure timely delivery of voting materials to polling units and encouraged citizens to act patriotically by rejecting vote-buying and the participation of underage individuals in the election process.
