The traditional rulers also urged all the youth in the South East to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the polls.
By Jeffrey Agbo
South East Council of Traditional Rulers has called on all stakeholders in the electoral process to conduct themselves properly to ensure the governorship and houses of assembly elections are held peacefully on March 18.
The council made this known in a statement dated March 9, stating that it was privy to rumour that some persons plan to disrupt the March 18 polls.
“This press statement has become necessary as a result of some inflammatory statements by some political actors within the zone,” the royal fathers said.
They expressed their concern about the development, adding that the beauty of democracy is that people, whether in government or out of it, live in free society.
The traditional rulers, therefore, said: “All the youth in the South East are hereby requested to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections.
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“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.
“Political parties should honour the peace accord they signed by ensuring that they do not recruit and arm thugs to disrupt the elections.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission should be truly professional and impartial in the discharge of their duties before, during and after the elections.
“The law enforcement agencies should be equally professional and impartial to promptly and firmly stop or deal with those who try to commit electoral offences.”
The statement was jointly signed by Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Eze Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom, Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers; Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha and Chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers.
It was also signed by Eze Joseph Nwabeke, Ezeamara of Eziama Ntigha, Chairman of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers; and Eze E. C. Okeke, Eze Udo 2 of Amaifeke Ancient Kingdom and Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
