Department of Church and Society, CSN

In a collaborative effort to promote peace and awareness ahead of the upcoming Edo State Governorship Election, Uromi Justice Development Peace and Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), in partnership with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, organized a successful civic education and peace rally in Esan North East Local Government Area (LGA).

This well-attended event brought together key stakeholders, including security operatives such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), alongside representatives from the National Orientation Agency and local community members. The primary goal was to raise public awareness about the significance of peaceful conduct during the elections and the shared responsibility of ensuring a free and fair electoral process.

The event commenced with a formal visit to the traditional monarch, the Ojuromi of Uromi Kingdom. Here, the Executive Director of Uromi JDPCI, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo, delivered an impactful keynote address to the chiefs, stressing the importance of leveraging their influence to promote peace and encourage community members to abstain from violence. He further urged citizens to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious activities to the authorities or the palace, enhancing communal safety.

Subsequent to the royal visit, the delegation made a stop at the local police station, where the Executive Director expressed gratitude to the security agencies for their neutrality in past elections. He emphasized the need for continued impartiality and stronger collaboration between the police, the community, and other electoral stakeholders. In response, the Area Commander of the Nigeria Police Force, Uromi Command, reiterated their firm commitment to neutrality and assured the public that any attempts to disrupt the electoral process would be met with strict consequences.

At the NSCDC office, the message of non-partisanship was again underscored, with Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo commending the NSCDC for their dedication to maintaining peace in previous elections. He also took the opportunity to address market traders, urging them to resist vote-buying and exercise their civic duty with integrity.

The NSCDC superintendent further stressed the importance of responsible voting, reminding community members that no political candidate was worth endangering their lives for. Voters were encouraged to exercise their rights peacefully and report any observed irregularities, with assurances from the police and NSCDC that their safety would be protected throughout the election period.

The rally effectively used print media and a public address system to spread the message of peace, reinforcing the call for free and fair elections across Esan North East LGA. The collaborative efforts between Uromi JDPCI, security forces, traditional rulers, and the local population underscored the united resolve to foster a peaceful electoral environment in Edo State.

Through this civic engagement and peace rally, communities in Esan North East LGA were mobilized to contribute to a violence-free governorship election, reinforcing the critical role of peaceful conduct in the democratic process.