The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja, Mr Abdullahi Candido, has called on traditional rulers to avoid political crises in their communities as campaigns continue for elective offices.
Candido made the appeal at a stakeholders meeting organized for traditional rulers, councilors and political parties’ candidates and representatives at the council’s secretariat on Monday in Abuja.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced February 12, for the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections.
It stated that the election would be conducted into offices of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and members of the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Candido said that the aim of the meeting was to discuss how to ensure a hitch-free campaign process as well as peaceful election, noting that it was part of his administrations’ transition programmes to preach peace and unity at all levels.
“As traditional leaders, you are the custodian of the people, your culture and heritage; as such you must not allow your communities to be a breeding place for political crisis.
“Don’t underrate any political party and don’t write off anybody or political party. The person you write off can become your leader at the end of the day.
“Allow the doors that lead to your communities to be open. Don’t shut the gates of your communities to any political party wishing to canvas for votes from your communities.
Prioritise electoral bill upon resumption, CSOs urge NASS
“We are a civilised area council; we should do things differently, let us in AMAC set the pace by doing things differently; on election day, the people have the right to vote for who they want,” he said.
The chairman also called for peace during and after the election.
In his response, Rev. Jetta Samwolo, the Esu of Jikwoyi community, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, pleaded with his colleagues to be ambassadors of peace in their various communities.(NAN)
