As Anambra prepares for the 8th of November governorship election, different groups in the state have stressed the importance of a violence-free exercise.
This came during a three-day workshop jointly held by the Kukah Centre and the secretariat of the National Peace Committee on Early Warning (EW) and Early Response (ER). Discussions centered on how to identify early signs of conflict and respond to them before they escalate.
The gathering brought together representatives of the media, religious leaders, security agencies, communities, and civil society organizations. They pointed to the insecurity already present in certain parts of the state and outlined practical ways to spot danger signals before they degenerate into violence.
Participants also acknowledged that activities of secessionist groups and agitators remain a concern, as they could disrupt the upcoming election if not promptly addressed.
Speaking at the event, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning officer of the National Peace Committee, Obafemi Deborah, explained that the programme was designed to foster coordination among diverse actors and establish a shared platform for peace. She emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, describing it as a system of “one warning, many responses” that would encourage transparency and boost confidence in the electoral process.
Obafemi said, “Over the past three days, we have worked with community representatives across the 21 LGAs to build their capacity in identifying and reporting early warning signals of conflict and the Early Response Team, made up of stakeholders such as IPAC, security agencies, government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, CBOs and community led groups.
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“This is because early warning without timely response cannot deliver the peace and stability we all seek. Together, we can transform early warning signals into meaningful action, build trust among our people, and safeguard the integrity of our democratic process.”
The workshop also featured the inauguration of the Early Warning and Early Response team in Anambra and the signing of commitment forms by participants.
The National Peace Committee, its secretariat, the Kukah Centre, and their partners, including the European Union, pledged continued support to ensure the November 8 election is peaceful. They urged every stakeholder to act responsibly in the buildup to the polls.
Those in attendance included traditional leaders, such as the traditional ruler of Umueri Kingdom, Igwe Sir Ben Emeka; civil society representatives, including Mr. Chris Azor; and government officials like Mr. Chuka Nnabuife, Managing Director of the Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO).