The Ekiti Coalition for Change, a group comprising of some Ekiti State indigenes residing in the United States, has urged politicians against in any act of bloodshed in a bid to win the July 14 governorship poll. The group advised politicians to think more about the future of their state and its development “rather than exhibiting bitterness that can affect the lives of the populace adversely.” Its Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Ayodele, in an online statement said politicians must think of the 1983 crisis and the one of 2009 during rerun elections that negatively affected the development of their home state. The group, therefore, appealed to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed, and the Director of Department of State Services (DSS), Mrs. Promise Iheanacho, to ensure adequate security during the electioneering campaigns and manage the situations in the most professional way in the interest of peace. He described election as a civil matter that should be undertaken under a peaceful atmosphere, Ayodele advised that the poll should not be allowed to slide into anarchy or deviate from the international best practices.
“As concerned Ekiti indigenes, we appeal to security agencies not to take side in this election. They must be professional and the moment politicians notice that they are neutral, they will naturally comply with the extant rules guiding the game. “Let me also tell our politicians not to see the game as a do or die affairs, they must think about peaceful co-existence among Ekiti residents than their own survival in this election. “The political crises of 1983 rendered many homeless as properties worth several millions were destroyed.
Some suddenly became widows and some childless due to election that was meant to elect just an individual. “that is why it is imperative that we must all be circumspect of our actions and utterances. We must guard against hate speeches and brigandage, because there will surely be Ekiti after this election.
