By Lawrence Nwimo
Anambra elders, under the umbrella of Anambra State Elders Council, have expressed worry over potential threats to the peace and security of Anambra as a result of the activities of candidates and party loyalists in social media platforms preparatory to the election.
The worry was expressed in a communique signed by the chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, in which the elders berated candidates’ loyalists who indulged in the acts to abstain from the use of foul language against rival opponents for the election.
The release, which was made public yesterday, urged the people of the state to refrain from anything that could truncate the relative peace and security in the state and to work hard towards ensuring free, fair and credible election.
The statement read in part: “Our concern that while the political parties’ campaigns have been peaceful and free of violence, there is an unacceptable level of personal abuse on the social media which is not healthy for our people; it may lead to violence. We note that the last two major elections in our state were free of violence, and urge our people to continue with peaceful campaigns and elections.
“All political parties, their candidates, supporters and all Anambra citizens, as well as the electoral authorities, are enjoined to work assiduously towards a free and fair election. The results must be transparent and reflect the will of the people.
“We urge all candidates and their supporters to refrain from personal abuse and focus their campaigns on issues relevant to the peace and development of Anambra state.
The elders further expressed concern over the continued sit-at-home orders stating that “non-state actors had been giving orders stopping people from working, including going to school and writing critical examinations.” They also the orders have been detrimental to the people of not just the state but the entire Southeast.
They also advised Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, to work in concert with the other Southeast governors, traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions and other community leaders to end the stay-at-home orders by non-state actors.