The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, has called on traditional and religious leaders in Taraba state to partner with the commission ahead of the general election especially in the areas of voter education and ensuring peace throughout the period of the exercise.
The Taraba state Resident Electoral Commissioner Alh. Baba Abba Yusuf made the appeal in Jalingo on Monday at the interactive session organised by the commission for traditional rulers and religious leaders ahead of the general election.
Yusuf said that the traditional and religious leaders have major roles to play towards the success of Any election and urge them to make it a point of responsibility to enlighten their subjects on the need to participate responsibly and actively at the election.
“The success of the election is to an appreciable extent dependent on the partnership and goodwill of key stakeholders such as the traditional rulers and religious leaders. As such, INEC would continue to beckon you to use your influence by calling on your followers and congregations to show commitment in rejecting electoral violence and all sorts of electoral malpractices.
“Knowing that politicians are also part of your communities and many of them often seek your blessings and wise counsel for their political quest, you are well positioned to influence both the electors and electorates towards conducting themselves with civility and decorum, as is necessary to ensure prevalence peace in the country”.
The Emir of Muri Alh. Abbas Tafida who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers appreciated the “level of discipline and high sense of responsibility demonstrated by INEC preparatory to the election especially in Taraba state and pledged maximum cooperation of the Taraba state traditional council in ensuring the smooth conduct of the election in the state”.
Tafida blamed electoral violence on politicians and their desperation and urged the people of the state to respect democracy as chaos would only bring hardship upon all the people.
On their parts, the state chairmen of Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim Council urged politicians to subject their ambitions to God who is the source of true power and accept the outcome of the election in good faith.
Our correspondent recall that INEC had earlier held similar sessions with various groups in the state including security agencies, NYSC, and political parties.
