Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), has called on residents of Anambra State to eschew violence before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the area.
SIDEC’s Finance Officer, Chioma Enwereuzo, gave the charge at Afor-Igwe market, during a voter education programme organized under the Inclusive Mobilization for Participation, Advocacy and Civic Transformation (Project IMPACT).
SIDEC is implementing the Project in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, with funding support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK-FCDO).
Enwereuzo insisted that electoral violence does not blow good to anyone. “It is destructive and can take us many years backward.”
“Law enforcement agents have place on red alert to deal decisively with anyone caught fomenting troubles,” she warned.
“The law will catch up with you. Violence is not part of election. Election should not be a do or due affair. Do not permit anyone to use you to destabilize the state”
She also advised eligible residents not to wear party insignia to the polling units as such will amount to campaign.
“Campaign will end on Thursday next week. While going to the polling units, please do not wear party clothes, caps or anything that bear the logo or name of any political party.
“The law is against it. Come and cast your vote peacefully. If you want to wait behind for vote counting, you are free but do that peacefully.
Voter apathy
She explained the implications of voter apathy calling on the 2.8 million registered voters to come out enmasse to exercise their franchise.
“Your voter card is your power. That’s why politicians are looking for you. Do not stay out home on the 8 of November 2025.
“It is a day you join others to determine the destiny of Anambra for the next four year.
“Unfortunately, election is fast becoming transactional in Nigeria and especially in Anambra State given the experience during the byelection conducted recently.
“But, I am appealing to you, do not sell your votes no matter the cost placed on it. If you are caught by law enforcement agents, you will be prosecuted as prescribed by the Electoral Act 2022.
She also appealed to all eligible voters to respect the priority voting privilege the law has conferred on some vulnerable persons in the society.
“Such categories include persons with disabilities, (PWDs), the elderly, breastfeeding mothers, and visibly pregnant women. Allow them to cast their votes first.
Equipment malfunctioning
During interactive session, one of the traders, Sylvester Njoku listed issues that discourage voter turnout to include malfunctioning of voting equipment such as BVAS.
“I have voted for many years. The issue of network slows down the process. People are waiting on the long queue until they get tired and leave.
Let them work on Internet connectivity to ensure that it does not take so long for each person to cast his vote.
“Most often, security agents do not do their work. They watch people especially party agents doing anyhow they like and they look the other way.
“If INEC officials and security agents do their jobs very well, there will be peace and everything will work out very well,” Njoku said.
After the voter education at the office of the Chairman of the traders association, SIDEC team members and other women went round the market to sensitize traders on the need to take active part in the forthcoming election.
