*Prominent Traditional Ruler, Residents Hail Need For Violence-free Polls
By our reporter
In continuation of sensitization of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents on proper poll conduct, the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Graduates Elite Club and Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS) of FCT Administration (FCTA) visited Kuje Area Council at the weekend.
Led by President of the club, Dr. Chioma Uzo-Udegbunam, the group undertook to preach the message of poll sanity directly to eager residents in markets.
Before visiting the commercial facilities, the team paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Kuje, the Gomo of Kuje, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji (Dr.) Haruna Tanko Jibrin, in his palace.
Briefing the royal father on the purpose of the visit, Dr. Uzo-Udegbunam told him that the club and the Secretariat were collaborating to “go to Area Councils to talk to their people to eschew electoral violence.”
She extolled FCT residents for their past peaceful conduct during previous elections, saying it is on record that the nation’s capital territory had never experienced bloodshed at polls.
Dr. Uzo-Udegbunam explained that part of the reason for the commendable scenario was because traditional rulers play their roles of leading their subjects in the right direction.
Applauding them for the gesture, she encouraged traditional rulers not to rest on their oars, but to keep the flag flying.
“We trust your capability, we trust your ability. We keep telling youths: Don’t be used; vote and leave peacefully. Don’t be used for ballot snatching,” she said.
Further praising the Gomo, she thanked him for his accomplishments as Kuje “remains peaceful before, during and after elections. Continue doing what you’re doing.”
Responding, the traditional ruler thanked FCTA, Dr. Uzo-Udegbunam, and the entourage for the visit.
Alhaji Jibrin noted that Kuje has a record of being peaceful during elections.
He said the trend is because “we’re very close to our people and at all times we reach them through the district and village heads.”
The royal father, a recipient of the Member of Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), assured that his domain will continue to enjoy peace during polls.
He disclosed that his message has always been that, of all contestants to any elective office, only one person will emerge winner, adding that it was futile to engage in violence thereafter.
He pointed out that during the last Area Council elections in FCT, winners emerged “and we embraced them.”
Further assuring of peace in the times ahead, he said the message from FCTA and the club has been well-received and “we’ll discharge our responsibilities; elections will be free of violence here.”
Later, the officials visited the two biggest markets in Kuje –New Kuje Shopping Complex and Kuje Central Market –for public,open air sensitization.
At the brimming Central Market, Dr. Uzo-Udegbunam first asked some traders and customers if they were registered to vote in the elections and,if not,that they should hasten to do so before the window allowed closes.
Talking one-on-one with them, she urged the excited people to shun electoral violence and to rein in their children and wards from being used to create poll chaos.
In response, they assured of peace during the polls and promised to ensure their family members toe the path of electoral rectitude.
It was an exhilarating experience both for traders and patrons of the market as they internalized the imperative to do that which is proper and right before, during and after the elections.
The officials are set to visit other Area Councils soon with same message.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Jibrin (middle), Dr. Uzo-Udegbunam (5th left), and other officials at the palace.
