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.

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