Groups canvass violence-free election

Former National Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called on Nigerians to eschew violence and vote according to their conscience, in the presidential and National Assembly elections to hold tomorrow.

Aliyu specifically said tomorrow’s presidential election has a lot to do with the future of the country and it is therefore important for every Nigerian not only to participate but also ensure that the process is violence free.

Speaking during a Road Show organized in Abuja recently, Aliyu said voting right tomorrow would consolidate the future of the country and also push Nigeria to the greater height.

Meanwhile, some socio-cultural organisations comprising Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Middle Belt Coalition of Progressives (MCOP), Niger Delta Alliance for Justice (NDAJ) and Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC) have urged the electorate to be vigilant as they go to the poll tomorrow.

While addressing the media in Lagos on Wednesday, the group said Nigerians should bear in mind as they cast their votes that the country is bigger than individuals and parochial ambition.

Speaking on behalf of the group, General Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uche Okechukwu, said Nigeria stands a better chance of progressing and developing if Nigerians get it right in tomorrow’s presidential poll.Prominent among members of the coalition was Prince Tajudeen Olusi, a member of Lagos APC Governors Advisory Council (GAC) who represented Afenifere, Yoweris Briggs for NDAJ and Chief Babafemi Ajayi for ONAC.

In another development, WOMEN Radio 91.7, with support on UN Women Nigeria, has engaged key stakeholders in Oyo State to ensure women exercise their civic rights in a peaceful and non-violent atmosphere tomorrow.Making the call in Ibadan recently, MD, Women Radio 91.7, Toun Okerewale Sonaiya, advocated t for a non-violent election that will be detrimental against the interest of women.

She appealed to Oba Saliu Akanmu Olasupo Adetunji to admonish women to come out and vote and for men to create an enabling, peaceful and non-violent environment to allow their wives, daughters, mothers and sisters to go out enmasse to vote.

However, the monarch expressed optimism that tomorrow’s election and March 2 gubernatorial poll would be peaceful.In his remarks, Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Alhaji AbdulGaniyy Abubakri Agbotomokekere, said women should not shy away from voting but must avoid election violence. He assured that messages of peace be preached across all mosques in the state.