Ahead of the February 12, 2022 Area Council election in Abuja, Nigeria, the authority of the Federal Capital Territory FCT has assured its residents that security agencies were in full gear to protect the lives and properties within the FCT during the forthcoming exercise.
The Administration gave the assurance through the Mandate Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Hon. Ibrahim Dantsoho, during his familiarisation tour to Bwari Area council on Thursday.
The Secretary also warned that those who ferment trouble should stay away in order not to face the full wrath of the law, stressing that election was the bedrock of democracy in any nation through which the people express their constitutional rights.
According to him “Without peaceful coexistence between one another there will not be any growth in the society. As such the authority have called for the need for peaceful coexistence of our citizenry. The Area Councils must remain peaceful and must continue to accommodate everybody because if we are together we can have a common goal.
“In few days to come Area Councils election will be coming onboard and FCTA will not want to have a single casualty or death around. We must have a very free and well conducted election, free of any rancor because those participating or running for offices they are all brothers and sisters irrespective of political differences. We must see ourselves as a family who are trying to build good governance.
“As a result of this the Minister has said that he will not be happy to see the Councils encouraging any outbreak of law and order as a result of the election. No matter how highly placed the person is whether as an incumbent Chairman or incoming, if anyone is caught the law will take its cause. It is expected that the Chairmen will do the needful and ensure that the election is peaceful within the Councils and whoever emerges at the end of the 21th February election the government will be fair and willing to give all the maximum support” he added.
Message of peace
While speaking ahead of the February 12th Area Councils elections, the chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya has warned that the only way he can guarantee a violence free election is if relevant agencies involved in the process refrain from manipulating election results.
Gabaya who appealed to the FCT Administration to do all within its capacity to ensure that armed security agents do not trigger breach of peace by interfering in election processes, noted that the people of Bwari Area Council will resist any attempt to be intimidated at the polls.
While pledging his support to the FCT Administration’s efforts to ensure peaceful Area Councils’ elections come February 12, Gabaya assured of his commitment to spread the message of peace during and after the election.
According to him “I want to assure you that as Bwari is concerned, there will be peace. However, l being the chairman today sir, one thing that will cause problem is when there is result manipulation.
“I want to pass this message to you sir, thank God l am contesting and l am saying it to the whole world, nobody should carry my vote and give to any other person or vice versa.Those are the causes of crises during elections.
“l want to say this with a loud voice and as a message to whoever is going to conduct the elections. The armed security men shouldn’t intimidate us concerning votes when we’re voting, allow us to vote. When you vote stay aside. We will rather die in Bwari than for somebody to come and deprive us of our right. l will personally give my life for my people. We therefore want to promise you that there will be peace” he said.
Emmanuel Ukoh
