Rivers LG boss urges peace ahead of elections

Mr Erastus Awortu, Chairman, Andoni local Area Council in Rivers, has urged politicians and electorate to place unity and progress of the area above political ambitions during the forthcoming elections.

Awortu gave the advice during a strategic peace sensitization on Thursday at Ngo, the Council’s headquarter.

News reports that the meeting was attended by candidates of the political parties, traditional rulers and the electorate.

Awortu said that meeting was initiated to chart ways on achieving a violent-free exercise.

According to him, the meeting became necessary to offer an opportunity for a sober reflection considering past election related crises so far recorded in the area council.

“This is a very important engagement because the future of Andoni is our collective responsibility and we are expected to guard it jealously, political actors should ponder on the need for a peaceful process.

“Recently, there had been disturbing signs and name-calling which has made this meeting very necessary to enable all political actors refrain from activities capable of plunging the area into crises,” he said.

Similarly, a member of the Andoni Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Benson Egwere, on behalf of the group, commended the Chairman’s security consciousness and pledged support for peace across their communities.

Various Candidates of the political parties during the meeting also promised cooperation towards sustainable peace during and after the general elections.

Report recalls that Andoni local government area had in the past repeatedly suffered election related crises leading to deaths.

Two former local government chairmen were allegedly murdered during the 2019 general elections.