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NOA condemns violence by party supporters

By Adamu Abuh, Kanayo Umeh (Abuja), Bertram Nwannekanma, Yetunde Ayobami Ojo and Emeka Nwachukwu (Lagos)
22 January 2015   |   9:25 pm
APC mobilises youths for hitch-free elections WORRIED by the recent violent conduct by supporters of some political parties, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, has condemned the “methods of thuggery, intimidation of opponents and violence, which had occurred in some places as parties canvass for votes.   Omeri in a…

APC mobilises youths for hitch-free elections

WORRIED by the recent violent conduct by supporters of some political parties, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, has condemned the “methods of thuggery, intimidation of opponents and violence, which had occurred in some places as parties canvass for votes.

  Omeri in a statement yesterday in Abuja enjoined all political parties to “reign on their supporters on the need to allow freedom of association, saying intimidation, thuggery and violent conducts should not be encouraged.

  The NOA director-general, who specifically condemned the alleged attack on President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign motorcade in Katsina State, said such act contravenes the recent non-violence pact signed by all presidential aspirants in the 2015 general elections and the democratic spirit, which has ruled our elections.

  Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo, yesterday said that there was the need for synergy among the youths to ensure that the outcome of the polls was a reflection of the wishes of the electorate.

  Jalo stated this yesterday during a convened parley of youths at the Abuja headquarters of the Buhari presidential campaign council aimed at ensuring the conduct of free and fair polls billed to start next month.

  Besides, a non-governmental organisation, Women’s Pro-climate Federation, has urged Nigerians, especially the women, to come out en-masse and vote for the APC’s presidential candidate, Gen. Buhari, in the coming February 14, 2015 election.

  The National Co-ordinator of the group, Mrs. Ekaette Enitan Sanusi, who made this admonition yesterday while addressing hundreds of women at a campaign rally at Eric Moore Road, Surulere, Lagos, said: “We are women mobilising all votes for the mother of all rallies campaign for change. We are women mobilising votes for Buhari and Osinbajo Presidency 2015. Enough is enough, this is our clarion call to all voters on February 14, 2015. Please vote for change, vote for Gen. Muhamadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

   Also, a Canada-based international support group for Buhari, the Global Intelligentsia For Buhari, has hinged the survival of Nigeria as a nation on free and fair elections devoid of intimidation, coercion and militarisation.

  The group, in a communique issued at the end of its well-attended second plenary meeting held at the premises of Canada College of Business and Technology in Toronto, Canada, said Nigeria will only survive when temporary holders of power recognised that winning election should not be ‘a do-or-die affair.’

The NOA director-general further stated that Nigeria would remain “our beloved indivisible entity even after the 2015 general election”, warning political aspirants and their supporters to engage in “issue-based campaign rather than hate-speeches that have recently being used by some politicians. 

  In his words: “We have passed the stage of nascent democracy. Our conduct before, during and after every election should also reflect this departure. We are gradually becoming a leading democratic role model. Our political behaviour is key to sustenance of this feat.”

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