TAI (Rivers) – INEC has said that the traditional institution was a veritable tool in achieving sustainable peace required for violence-free elections.
Mrs Gesila Khan, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State said this during a courtesy call on King Godwin Gininwa, Chairman of Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers, in Tai Local Government.
Khan described royal fathers as the bedrock of societies, whose roles had contributed immensely to peaceful co-existence of people.
She appealed to Gininwa to use his good offices to ensure peace in the forth-coming general elections in the state.
“We are aware that whenever royal fathers are involved in elections, peace prevails.
“So, we are here to solicit for support from your majesty to help us to talk to the youths to keep away from violence,’’ Khan said.
The REC, who assured the royal father of INEC’s neutrality and commitment towards credible elections, called for stronger synergy with the traditional institution.
She said that INEC’s determination to deliver credible elections had led to customised ballot papers, result sheets and ballot boxes.
Khan blamed electoral fraud on desperation for power by political parties which, she said, led to thuggery and snatching of ballot boxes.
She appealed to Nigerian youths to understand that elections did not require waste of their lives.
Responding, Gininwa promised to work in synergy with INEC for violence-free general elections through re-orientation of the youth.
Gininwa assured the REC that the traditional institution would continue to be committed to a peaceful and indivisible Nigeria.
He advised the INEC to always be impartial in the conduct of elections, saying that justice was paramount for prevalence of peace.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Mr Mbakpone Okpe, expressed satisfaction at the honesty and transparency of INEC in the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Okpe assured INEC of violence-free election in the area, saying that the local government would do its possible best to assist in delivering credible elections.
