Onitsha, Nigeria—At UPF-Nigeria’s South East Ambassadors for Peace Conference on Peaceful Elections 2017, representatives of various political parties and Ambassadors for Peace pledged their commitment to peaceful elections in and called on all stakeholders to support peace in Anambra state.
The conference was one of a number of activities that were convened to mobilize support for a peaceful governorship election in Anambra state, which will be held on November 18, 2017. More than 150 people, including representatives from over 30 political parties participating in the governorship election and Ambassadors for Peace in the state, attended the meeting, which ended with a call by all to support a peaceful election process.
The conference began with welcome remarks by the Anambra state chapter coordinator for UPF-Nigeria, Rev. Zeal Festus. She thanked all the participants for their prompt response to the call for participation and emphasized the need for the representatives of the political parties and Ambassadors for Peace to discuss the importance of ensuring a peaceful election.
The conference chairman, Mr. Damian Chukwurah Vincent Amazu, who is a UPF -Nigeria Ambassador for Peace in the Diaspora, called on the government and the people to respect the results of the election and conduct themselves in ways that will make the election credible and accepted by all. He also encouraged the Ambassadors for Peace to play an active role in raising awareness about the need for peaceful elections in the state and throughout Nigeria.
UPF-Nigeria secretary general Dr. Raphael Oko, spoke about the UPF Principles of Peace as a guiding code of conduct for peaceful living and peaceful elections, and urged everyone to reflect deeply on the need for a culture of peaceful elections as the way forward for the nation. At the end of the presentation, representatives of several political parties pledged their commitment to peaceful elections in the state and endorsed the proposal by UPF-Nigeria to have all parties work together to elect a leader for the state.
During the Bridge of Peaceful Relations by Political Parties ceremony, representatives of the political parties displayed the logo of their party and affirmed their support for peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.
At the closing session, seven participants were appointed as Ambassadors for Peace. They were:
- Bishop Herbert Eze
- Mrs. Edugie Joy Emeleogu
- Mr. Emmanuel Emeleogu
- Mr. Peter E. Chikweilo
- Mr. Ngonadi Humphrey A
- Pastor John Ifeanyi Emos
- Pastor Capt. Ekene Divine Ikemba
The new Ambassadors for Peace committed to promote peaceful conduct during the election and support UPF’s activities in Nigeria and around the world, including the upcoming African Leaders Summit in Dakar, Senegal and the 100,000 youth rally in Abuja, Nigeria in January 2018.
All the Ambassadors for Peace in attendance were designated as Special Advocates for Peaceful Elections to educate people in different parts of Anambra state on the need for a peaceful election and to promote dialogue among political aspirants for peaceful elections.
The conference was reported by local television and radio stations in Anambra state.