Violence has remained a symbolic feature of most elections in Nigeria with the last general elections recording tales of unpleasantness in most part of the country.
An attempt to forestall this in coming elections informed a Stakeholder’s Election Forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
At the forum which kicked off with political stakeholders at Iseyin local Government, INEC resident electoral commissioner, Mr. Mutiu Agboke said elections had been turned to war in Nigeria due to people of inordinate ambition who wanted to occupy leadership position by every means.
He pointed out that any individual with political ambition must endear himself to the heart of the people through credible works and not by cajoling or forcing himself on the electorate through his political party during elections.
Mr. Agboke advised electorate to vote only people with proven integrity while urging politicians to shun politics of bitterness and violence.
He said the sensitisation was a step to forestall violence in coming elections.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, had paid homage to the Aseyin of Iseyin land, Oba AbdulGaniyu Adekunle where he pleaded with the monarch to assist the commission by educating their subjects on the need to steer clear of anything that could truncate the electoral processes.
Responding, Oba Adekunle, acknowledged the sensitive role INEC plays in elections and advised that such must be carried out without fear or favour as well as respect for the votes of the people.
He urged INEC not to be intimidated or compromise truth in its dealings.
Olaitan Oye-Adeitan