The Delta state chapter of the Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has frowned at the unnecessary tension that the upcoming election has generated over the past few weeks leading to the destruction of posters of political opponents and property by suspected thugs and some political party loyalists in violation of the IPAC’s code of conduct.
A statement by the state chairman of the council, Mr. Fred Obi, notes that more disturbing and worrisome are the killings the political tension has led to in some parts of the state.
It says that the politically motivated upheavals have reportedly claimed the lives of no fewer than ten persons with several others injured, while some families have been rendered homeless.
Delta IPAC particularly cited the recent gruesome murder of a political aide to the Governor of Delta State, Mr. Ngozi Ijie, which clearly points to the extent to which political cannibalism has reached.
It described the act as barbaric, inhuman, unreasonable and condemn-able and called on security agencies to initiate a full scale investigation into the unfortunate incident in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The council called on the people of Delta State to rise against all forms of political thuggery and violence.
It reminded Deltans that the upcoming general elections are not just about political affiliations or narcissistic candidacy, but largely about the interest of the State and the future of the people.
As such, we must avoid being used to engage in any form of political activity that can encourage violence before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
IPAC sued for peace and a high sense of decorum all through the elections, stressing that life belongs to God and it is therefore wicked for any politician to kill in pursuit of his or her political ambition.
While condemning the decision of INEC to postpone the elections, Delta IPAC says the postponement should not be seen as a means to heat up the polity in the State, but should be seen as a call to avail the political parties opportunity to strengthen their preparations for the elections.
The shift in dates by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, according it noted was to ensure that all forms of shortfalls were corrected and all grey areas addressed to ensure a hitch free process.
IPAC however I urged INEC to stick to its words by ensuring that the February 23 and March 9, 2019 Dates are sacrosanct.
It emplored the security agents to maintain non-partisan relationship with all stakeholders while warning all Political Parties and Actors and other partisan stakeholders to desist from instigating or sponsoring persons or group of persons loyal to them to forment trouble before, during and after the elections.
The body called on stajehokders to consciously make it a point of duty to embrace peace as a panacea for co-existence at all times, and join hands with INEC to ensure a smooth electoral process.
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