A lecturer, formerly of the Department of Mass Communication in Kogi State Polytechnic, KSP, now with the Federal University, Lokoja, FUL, Dr. Kabiru Tiamiyu, has called on all citizens in Kogi State to endeavour to maintain peace, law and order, before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
The university teacher, who is the General Secretary of Bishop Delisle Old Students Association, BIDOSA, 95 Set, made the call in a media chat on the Kogi guber poll holding on November 11, 2023.
Stressing the need for issued-based campaigns, Dr. Tiamiyu said that political parties, their candidates and supporters should desist from politics of bitterness and acrimony.
He maintained that only issue-based campaigns devoid of name-calling, attack on personalities and needless innuendoes can engender peace and lead to the election of the right candidate.
He said, “Kogi has always been a peaceful state. Therefore, there is every need for all in the state to maintain peace, law and order. There’s no need to create unnecessary tension in the state because of election.
All parties and their candidates should promote unity and oneness. Campaigns should be based on issues and not attacks on personalities and imprecations.”
The communication pundit further stated that “there is need for the government to provide a level-playing ground for all candidates. At the end of the exercise our prayer is for the best candidate to emerge – someone who will carry the entire Kogites along, giving a sense of belonging to everyone without any kind of discriminatory tendencies.”
He added “For those who are planning to destabilize the already peaceful state, they should have a rethink and desist from such act, bearing in mind that there is no place to run to. Kogi is our home. Let’s make it thrive by embracing ourselves. Our diversity in the state is indeed our strength. November 11 will surely come and go. A winner must be declared. The aggrieved ones should toe the right path in channeling their grievances. Go to court to prove your case and not in the streets by causing mayhem.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the electoral umpire is more than ever ready to conduct a transparent governorship election in the state. The citizenry on their own part should ensure that they come out en masse to vote for the candidate of their choice. Our vote must count. One man one vote mantra must stand.
“The government is working tirelessly to ensure that everything is being put in place for a free, credible and fair election. The people should reciprocate this gesture by coming out to vote for a credible and trustworthy leader who will continue from where the outgoing governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, would stop.”
Observing that the candidates have so far conducted themselves appropriately, he remarked that “there is need to commend all the candidates for conducting themselves in an orderly and respectful manner. This shows their level of maturity, which they need to sustain. Let them strongly caution their supporters and followers to exhibit every sense of civility and decorum in the course of the campaigns. We really don’t need to fight each other. Let’s see ourselves as one regardless of the political party we belong. Election shouldn’t be a do or die affair.”
