2023 Polls: FCT Minister charges residents to be peaceful, orderly Department

sensitises residents in Garki, Wuse

By Stanley Onyekwere

In continuation with its sensitisation of FCT residents on peaceful conduct during the fast approaching polls, the FCT Administration took its enlightenment train to residents in Garki, and Wuse districts of the Federal Capital City.

The week-long exercise, which commenced Monday, seeks to awaken the consciousness of residents on peaceful and orderly conduct before, during and after the polls, this Saturday, February 25, 2023.

The Director, FCT Department of Information and Communications Mr. Sule Hazat, who spoke through Deputy Director, Public Enlightenment in the Department, Mrs. Josie Mudasiru, notated that it was imperative to sensitise residents of the FCT concerning the forthcoming election, as the exercise can only be carried out successfully, in a peaceful condition and environment.

His words: “What we have come here to do is, to appeal to the people to go and cast their votes on Saturday, in a peaceful and orderly manner.

“There is every need for residents to eschew arguments and quarrels that could trigger violence, which undermines, smooth conduct of elections.

“As Nigerians, we must comport ourselves in an orderly and decent manner. Cast your vote quietly for candidates of your choice, without being compelled to, and refrain from compelling others.

“If you must wait for votes to be counted, then endeavour to stay at a safe distance. Let us all remember that after this election, we will still be together and there will still be one Nigeria”.

Reacting to the development, a panel beater inside Gwagwalada Motor Park, in Area One, Garki, Matthew Macaulay, said they have been praying daily for peaceful, free and fair polls and in just a matter of days, the election will hold.

He adds: “It is our desire that at the end, we will all elect a credible, God fearing and caring leader, that will take Nigeria out of the woods and restore her pride of place in the comity of nations, that are progressive and prosperous.”

“I told a young man yesterday, if he gets into a heated argument about who to vote for at the polls, and picks a fight and dies in the process, he will not live to tell the story, hence, there is no profit in being unruly and meddlesome during the election.

“Quietly, vote for the person that is in your heart, don’t say its APC, PDP or Labour party, vote for peace. Don’t go there to go and fight. With my PVC, I will make my statement on Saturday, and everyone else should do the same.

“I will vote the person that I love and know that can turn around the fortunes of Nigeria, because what we’re passing through now, is very distressing. I quite appreciate the efforts of the FCT Administration in sensitising us to embrace peace at the polls”.

It was observed that the sensitisation team moved from Gwagwalada Motor Park, in Area One to Wuse Market, before heading to Garki Market.

By Stanley Onyekwere

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has charged residents of the nation’s capital to be of their best behaviour for the success of the 2023 elections in the FCT.

The Minister gave the charge in a message to residents on the 2023 general elections scheduled to take place across the country tomorrow, Saturday, February 25, 2023, according to a statement from Director Of Press, Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye.

Bello urged residents to perform their civic duty of voting for candidates of their choice in a peaceful and orderly manner and respecting all laid down electoral and security regulations.

He said: “I want to appeal to residents to be peaceful, law abiding and go out enmasse to cast your votes, because it is by your votes that you will determine who will represent you in the National Assembly.

“And I have no doubt that you will all make us proud by being disciplined and obey all regulations as set by INEC as well as the security agencies”.

He however, commended residents across all the political parties for their peaceful conduct and decorum during the electioneering campaigns over the past few months, saying that this was an indication that the culture of democracy has matured in the FCT.

“I want to commend all residents across all political parties for tremendous decorum and peaceful electioneering campaign that has taken place over the last few months in the Federal Capital Territory.

“This has continued to show that democracy has matured in the FCT, where all contestants, irrespective of political party played by the rules and campaigned with decorum, discipline and above all with respect for one another”, he said.

While calling on residents to help further entrench the principles of democracy in the FCT, the Minister said: “So, everyone should go out, get accredited and vote for candidates of their choice. And by so doing, you will deepen democracy in the Federal Capital Territory”.

Former President of Kenya and Head of the African Union Observation Mission to Nigeria’s General Elections, Uhuru Kenyatta paid a courtesy visit to APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Residence Asokoro Abuja.