lduozee Paul, Benin
The Committee of Benin Elders, a body made up of professionals and intellectuals has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and all other security agencies to be neutral, and fair to all parties, in order to ensure free and fair elections.
The group in a statement issued at apress conference in Benin city said current issues going on in the countryprompted it to lend its voice to comments on the burning matter ravaging thenation. The Committee expressed dismay over what Nigerians are witnessing atpresent and called for urgent solutions to remedy it before the general polls.
Chairman of the committee of Benin Elders,Prof. Emmanuel Emovon said they had been watching happenings in the politicalarena and what they observed is very sad. Prof. Emmanuel Emovon who was formerMinister of Science and Technology, said the group is not political but anelders committee who advise politicians about things that are going on in thecountry.
A press release read by the assistantsecretary to the committee, MajorGeneral C. Omoregie stated as follows:
“The Committee of Benin Elders has observedwith concern the tension generated from acrimonious campaign speeches andactivities by various political parties, which if left unchecked can lead tobreakdown of law and order. The committee deliberated on this and decided tocall on all stakeholders to ensure that the elections are peaceful, free andfair.
“We call on INEC and all securityagencies to be neutral and fair to all parties. We also call on all citizens ofEdo State and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and vote forcandidates of their choice. We advise all our people to reject monetaryinducement in any form. We want to use this medium to specially plead with theyouths, not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate violence or cause anymayhem during the period.
“We are confident that ourpeople will heed this clarion call and pray to God to grant us peaceful andsuccessful polls.”
