Chief Uchenna Cyril Anioke, Ph.D., has urged political parties and candidates participating in the September 26 local government elections in Enugu State to shun electoral violence, hate speech and the weaponisation of youths.
Anioke made the call on Monday while presenting a paper titled, “The Peace Accord: Our Collective and Binding Agreement for the Democratic Future of Enugu State,” at the signing of the Peace Accord by participating political parties at the headquarters of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Independence Layout, Enugu.
He said the Peace Accord should not be treated as a mere political ritual, but as a public and binding commitment by political actors to protect the peace and democratic future of the state.
According to him, while the pressure to win local government elections could be intense, no political ambition or elective office was worth the life of any citizen.
Anioke, a former local government chairman, publisher and broadcast journalist, as well as a certified mediator and Alternative Dispute Resolution expert, warned that electoral victories secured through violence, intimidation or malpractice could create legitimacy crises and instability for those who emerge.
He said, “No seat, no office, and no local government council is worth the blood of any citizen.”
He urged political parties and candidates to allow their manifestos and ideas to compete rather than resort to violence and the use of weapons.
“Let your manifestos compete, not your weapons,” he said.
The former council chairman also appealed to political leaders not to use youths as instruments of violence during the elections, stressing that young people should be seen as the future of Enugu State rather than as tools for political confrontation.
“Do not weaponize our youths. Our young people are the engine of Enugu’s future, not fuel for political fires,” he said.
Anioke further urged candidates and their supporters to moderate their rhetoric, reject hate speech and electoral violence, and accept election outcomes with dignity or seek redress through lawful and peaceful channels.
Addressing security agencies, including the police, Department of State Services, military, Civil Defence and other forces, he called for professionalism, neutrality and impartial enforcement throughout the electoral process.
He said security personnel should protect voters from intimidation and suppress acts of thuggery without regard to political affiliation.
Anioke also called on stakeholders to support ENSIEC in conducting a peaceful, fair and credible election, saying a credible process would help reduce post-election disputes and civil unrest.
He urged political actors to remember that political competition would end after the election, while the people of the state would remain brothers and sisters.
“Let us not build walls of hatred today that our children cannot tear down tomorrow,” he said.
Anioke called on the participating parties and candidates to regard their signatures on the Peace Accord as a solemn commitment to peace, fairness and the democratic future of Enugu State.