EDO 2020: The Search For A Peaceful Election

The desire of Edo electorates for a peaceful election in the forth coming Governorship election scheduled for the 19th of September 2020, recieved a boost through a collaborating effort of some organisations.
The collaborations is geared towards protecting our nascent democracy. With the view to firm People’s grip on the system towards institutionalising a peaceful process for future generations of Nigerians.
Being facilitated by Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC-NAIJA, Nigeria frontline political education and advocacy NGO. The project; Community Ambassadors for Peaceful Election, CAPE, was conceived by Apostolic Round Table, ART, a communion of Christian Ministers.
CAPE is not leaving any stone unturned. Royalty is a pride to the Edo people across board, and the respect for the institutions is absolute, this institution is been be carried along in this meaningful public enlightenment for peaceful election.
Edionwere and paramount Rulers of autonomous communities across the State are also reached out to in this drive for peaceful election. They are being strategically engaged in political education and advocacy on the value of votes and the needs for peaceful election in the interest of their different communities and the State collectively.
CAPE will activate her first training for 1800 Community Ambassadors, drawn from communitys’ of churches on the 13th of August 2020, by 10AM at the International Headquarters of The Evidence of The Gospel Church, Benin City.
CAPE Training will elucidate political peace process with 4 step; towards eradicating rigging and other electoral misnomer by engaging demographic communities across the State for peaceful and credible election.
The following are CAPE 4 Steps to peaceful election:

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY
The lower hand in every election is that of the Government to responsibly hold the process in trust for the electorates. It must never be allowed to compromise her commitment to the people. Government must demonstrate value for People’s votes and be accountable.
VALUE THE PROCESS
This is defined by the rights of Individuals to excise their franchise without intimidation This is golden! The premium of a credible electoral process must therefore be placed on value for the people and their votes.
THE PROCESS MUST BE TRANSPARENT AND TRUST WORTHY.
The ability of the Government to hold the process for her citizens without any form of manipulation of the process is not negotiable. This must end in a peacefully conducted process capable of laying the foundation for good governance. Democratic Government globally, derives power from the people. Our case can not be different. The process and its guidelines must prime the people as the ultimate source of power.

INEC and other Governments Agencies involved, must not only be seen to be conducting the election, it must, in line with electoral laws of the land to ensure credibility of the process.
Electorates on the other hand, must equally be law abiding and observe all rules and guidelines to ensure that the election is peaceful.

VOTERS AND VOTE PROTECTION.

It is the responsibility of the Government to provide security for all before, during and after the election. However, the upper hand that covers the process is that of the collective resolve of eligible citizens to exercise their franchise. They must supervise the process and ensure that it delivers Value for their votes; by ensuring that their votes count.
We may have been deprived the privilege of true democracy since 1999. The collaboration according to Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi, Convener Apostolic Round Table is determined to assist President Muhammadu Buhari to achieve desire of Nigerians for a peaceful election as his post office legacy to take us to the next level of democratic phase where power indeed will be given by the people to their Government at every election.
Akinyemi who doubles as the National Project Director, said; “We all owe it a duty to defend democracy as the government of the people by the people and for the people. Election is about the people. While politicians are busy with politicking, the place of the people in the process, should not be undermined. Therefore, patriots should stand with the people in Edo State to ensure the election is peaceful.
He further reminded His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to honour his words where he asserted that “I belong to everybody and I belongs to nobody” during Edo 2020 Governorship election. He sees Edo as Buhari’s opportunity to show that he prioritises the country over partisan politics. The people are ready, but the President must take the lead to ensure the process is free of interference, immuned to manipulators, deviod of rancour; free and fair to ensure that the choice of the people prevails in a peaceful atmosphere. These he said the project will get the people trained for.