Segun ADESUYI
-Traditional rulers, political leaders commend lawmaker, task residents on collection of PVC
In a bid to put an end to the reoccurrence of menace of election violence and political thuggery ahead of 2019 general elections, Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja, member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikorodu Constituency II, on Thursday, August 9, 2018, engaged stakeholders at the …….. Event Centre, Igbogbo, venue of the 4th Lagos State House of Assembly’ Stakeholders’ Meeting in Ikorodu Constituency II.
At the event, residents were sensitized on the need to shun all forms of electoral violence and guard against being used as political thugs to disrupt electoral process in the forthcoming elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also urged to conduct peaceful and credible elections.
Hon. Solaja made these calls while presenting his keynote address at the meeting themed, “Towards Peaceful And Credible Elections”, and held simultaneously across the 40 constituencies in the State.
In attendance at the event were notable personalities, traditional rulers, palace chiefs, Baales, party leaders, religious leaders, trade union, community development associations, Youths among many others from the three Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Constituency II which include Ijede, Imota and Igbogbo/Bayeiku LCDAs.
In his keynote address, Hon Solaja enjoined the stakeholders to ensure non-violence process during the 2019 general elections while also stressing the need to sustain the peace that the good people of Nigeria enjoyed in the 2015 general elections.
He also urged politicians to avoid the temptation of playing politics of desperation, stating that politics should be played with mind focused on development and welfare of the people.
“You may wonder why my colleagues and I have chosen this theme for this year’s stakeholder’s meeting. It is because of our concern for the peaceful conduct of the 2019 elections. In view of this, we, your representatives, wish to join you, our leaders, members and supporters of political parties and groups, to assume the responsibility of conducting ourselves in a way that will promote peace during and after the elections”.
According to the lawmaker, electoral process is one of the most important features of democracy with voters as the major stakeholders and the electorate must have confidence in the process for them to participate as this makes the government itself to be responsible and responsive to the needs of the people.
“We urge religious leaders and parents to contribute to the success of the elections by preaching against violence in any form, before, during and after the elections. Community leaders are enjoined to embolden our people to always take advantage of their constitutional right to vote as contained in sections 77 (2), 132(5)and 175(5) of the 1999 constitution (as amended). It is the responsibility of every member to encourage eligible members in their various communities to collect their permanent voters cards (PVC) and mobilize others to participate in the coming general elections.
“The message of violence free election should be carried to the places of worship, schools, homes and parks. Non-Governmental Organsations(NGOs) and traditional institutions should also be involved in the campaign and assist in identifying flash points in their communities.
“All institutions of government, including INEC and security agencies must be seen to act with impartiality and to forcefully and publicly speak against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetrated by supporters or opponents. Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC) should intensify efforts in the gathering of intelligence on activities of electoral offenders with a view to providing adequate security”.
Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun and traditional rulers present at the event, in their separate remarks, urged the people of Constituency II to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC).
The leaders, who spoke one-after-the-other, stated that PVCs are residents’ passports to democratic paradise and enjoined them to shun any form of violence that could disrupt free and fair elections in 2019.
They also commended Hon.Solaja for his contributions towards the growth and development of the people of his constituency.
