Former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has appealed to the youths in Imo State not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians to cause trouble during the Saturday gubernatorial elections in the state.
He made the appeal on Wednesday, when about 18 political parties participating in the governorship poll signed a peace accord to eschew violence before, during, and after the exercise.
The former Head of State appealed to the Imo electorate to turn out en masse to elect a governor of their choice.
Abubakar said in a recorded video, which was played at the venue, that the people would have no right to complain if the elected people “do the rubbish they do in governance.”
“So, it is right for every voter to come out to ensure that they vote for the candidate of their choice so that we get the right people to represent us,” he said.
He urged youths to avoid being used as vanguards of electoral violence “because in the long run, it is you, the youth, or the people who would have been used to cause pain and sorrow in society.”
Abubakar, who advised security agencies not to intimidate voters, appealed to INEC and its officials to show sincerity in conducting free and credible polls in the state.
Also, INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, commended the NPC for sustaining its support toward promoting peaceful elections and democracy in Nigeria.
Yakubu solicited the support of security agencies, political parties, and candidates for the peace accord to succeed.
“I would like to reaffirm the commission’s commitment to only credible and transparent elections.
“The commission has done everything possible to ensure that Saturday’s elections are credible.
“It is not enough to sign the peace accord; what is important is to apply its letters and spirit,” the INEC boss said.
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