Joel Ajayi

With just two days to the much-awaited 2023 General Election in Nigeria, Agency in charge of Africa strategic policy framework for the entrenchment of sustainable economic growth and development, African Union Development Agency/New Partnership for Africa’s Development AUDA-NEPAD stormed the streets of Abuja on advocacy and publicity road-walk to sensitize and educate the populace on Violence Free Election in the 2023 General Elections.

It will be recalled that, the nationwide sensitization campaign was launched on Feb 7th, 2023, by President Buhari Mohammadu and has been conducted in all 6 geopolitical zones.

The roadshow hosted at NEMA route and terminated at popular place Unity Fountain on Thursday in Abuja, with sensitization messages, “Silencing the gun”, “Say no to election violence”, “Vote buying”, Shun election malpractices” among others.

Briefing newsmen at the roadshow, the AUDA NEPAD boss Princess Gloria Akobundu who was represented by Director Planning Research and Innovation for the agency and focal person for the violence free election campaign Abdulkareem Akande said the road show would enable agency to engage citizens the more on the need to conduct themselves in line with electoral law.

She urged the entire people of the country to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the elections.

According to her, essence of the gathering is in line with AU guidelines, warning anyone who is trying to cause crisis in during the electioneering in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, AU are looking up to Nigeria to get it right, if we get it right other Africa countries will follow that is why we are trying to education people to stir clear of all the election malpractices during the 2023 general election.

“We need to sensitize our people to make a right choice, if we make a wrong choice, we will also leave by it, and all we are saying is choose wisely and don’t hold grudges on the winner.”

While speaking, a Retired Director in the Ministry of Health Mrs. Juwaretu Olumoko who is facilitator of the “violence free election campaign” expressed that the programme was put in place to advocate, sensitize and to educate mothers, father’s youth, why they should all shun violence saying that violence will only create more problem to Nigeria.

“We have a similar programme in 2019 with the theme: “Say no to election violence”. Masses were sanitized on the need for them to ensure credible elections and it worked, that is why we are here on the street on the same theme” say no to 

violence” as the 2023 general poll is around the corner.

“We have appealed to them, to shun thuggery during election, to stop stealing ballot boxes during election, we told them that once they sell their vote, it means they are selling the future of Nigeria and future of their children.”

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