In a bid to create citizens’ awareness and advocate for violence-free conduct in the 2023 general elections a delegation from Fostering Achievement of Community Empowerment (FACE) Initiative has paid a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Commissioner of Police, State Director of National Orientation Agency, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The visits were made after the inauguration of the State Technical Committee of the Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War campaign headed by Pastor Lawrence Peter with Mmayen Bassey, Archibong Effiom, Mercy Igboke, Ukeme Albert, and Archibong Jeremiah as members.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Aminu Alhassan lauded the organization for the gesture to sensitize and change the psyche of electorates as the 2023 elections beckons, adding that, they (the Police) equally crave peaceful elections devoid of vote buying, hate speech, physical violence, attitudinal change, among others.
He said, “I so much like your organization and your critical approach to the electioneering campaign. I will inform all the DPOs in the 18 local government areas to assist you and not to see you as those that foment problems.”
At the NUJ secretariat Calabar, the Chairman Mr. Gill Nsa said the project is a “meaningful one” because only a few groups embark on election sensitization, stressing that “we need further enlightenment.”
Gill in the company of his exco members while pledging support to the campaign said the union will amplify the call for a violence-free election disclosing the body is planning media week geared towards that. “I want to commend your effort and we are open. NUJ in its capacity will see how we will support you even as we plan for our media week on issues like this. I want to thank you for the visit, do not be discouraged in this project,” he patted.
Relatively, the State Director of NOA, Mr. Amissine Ogban, and his management team were delighted to receive the delegation.
He pledged the support of his office to ensure that the campaign message goes to the grassroot. “We are happy to have you. We don’t have money but have the institutional capacity to support your course which is a good one.” he maintained.
The Executive Director of FACE Initiative, Mr. Inatimi Peter during all the visits spoke passionately about the possibility of having a society devoid of electoral vices.
He noted that in previous elections, election violence, vote buying, and voter apathy have been some of the negative vices which have impeded or impacted negatively the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.
Mr. Inatimi thanked the Police, NOA, and NUJ for supporting the Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War campaign.
