NDDC Commissioner charges youths against election violence

Ahead of the March 11th governorship and state House of assembly elections, the Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Emem Wilcox Wills, has admonished youths against election violence and thuggery during the exercise.

Dr. Wills gave the charge in his remarks at a public sensitization and campaign against election violence, organized by Queen and Pet Koncept Initiative (QPKI), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with support from the NDDC held at D'Angelo Hotel and Suite, Uyo on Monday March 6, 2023.

He informed youths that election is a sacred duty of every eligible citizen meant to produce credible people to serve at various leadership levels in the federal, state and local government.

"You have a civic responsibility to cast your vote for a person or political party of your choice peacefully. Just as you have the right to vote, others also have to right to vote for whoever they want without molestation, pressure or victimization".

Wills further warned that violence during election is undemocratic and subverts the will of the people, adding that ultimately power belongs to God and He gives to whom He wants.

"It is therefore unwise to allow yourself to be enticed into committing violence and thuggery during elections. You stand the risk of being arrested or incarcerated, being injured or worse, losing your life.

"As a youth, you have so much potentials and great expectations before you, don't throw all these away for paltry financial inducement that won't take you far. The electoral law is very clear and specific on election violence. It propounds a long jail term for those involved in acts of violence before, during and after elections. So, do not fall a victim of the law."

It is on record that the Part VII of the Electoral Act 2022 deals specifically with electoral offences, which include acts of violence, and the penalties for infractions duly stated therein. It gives INEC power to prosecute electoral offenders, and ensure that they are dealt with expeditiously.

Comments

Improved Working Conditions For Teachers In Rural Areas Underway As AKHA Advocates Provision Of Live-In Quarters

Secondary school teachers posted to rural areas in the State would have a sigh of relief as lawmakers of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has advocated to the State Government for the provision of live-in quarters to reduce the burden of transportation and solve issues of accomodation. This was sequel to a report presented to the House by the Chairman House Committee on Education, Hon. Kenim Onofiok during Plenary today. Hon. Onofiok informed the House that the Committee had invited stakeholders from the Ministry including Commissioner for Education, Chairmen, State Secondary Education Board, Permanent Secretaries to discuss on the matter. The House thereafter dissolved into the Committee of the Whole where the two recommendations of the report were adopted. The House recommended that the State Government extends the fencing of schools to every local government area in the State and also prioritize the building of live-in quarters for teachers to provide accommoda...

Breaking: A’Ibom Governor Removes Two Aides Amid Restructuring, Alleged PDP Links

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has relieved two aides of their duties with immediate effect, the state government announced on Monday. The affected officials are: Joseph Jacob Ikpak, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Support Services Felix Ekuri, Special Assistant to the Governor on Neighbourhood Watch Their disengagement was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah, who described the action as part of the governor’s ongoing efforts to realign the machinery of government with the Renewed Hope and ARISE Agenda. The statement did not provide further details on the circumstances leading to their removal. However, it was gathered from multiple political sources that the decision may be linked to the aides’ alleged association with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The claim has not been officially confirmed, and the government has not commented on the speculation. Political analysts no...

Tragedy at Ikot Ekpene General Hospital: Akwa Ibom Governor Orders Probe Into Maternal Death

By Asuquo Edem UYO – A tragic incident at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, has sparked public outrage after a young mother and her newborn reportedly died following a caesarean section, prompting Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State to order an immediate high-powered investigation. A disturbing video of the grieving family began circulating on social media over the weekend, drawing widespread condemnation and raising fresh concerns over maternal mortality in the state. Moved by the incident, Governor Eno expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, to convene a commission of inquiry comprising medical and legal experts. The panel is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and recommend preventive measures. In a dramatic move, Dr. John led a midnight team of officials from the Ministry of Health to the hospital for an on-the-spot preliminary investigation, gathering firsthand testimonies f...

The Empire Naija

Search This Blog