Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
Peace advocates on Saturday staged a walk through the streets of Awka, Anambra State capital, to promote a peaceful and violence-free governorship election in the state.
The rally was organized by the Anambra Peace and Mediation Working Committee, formed by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), in collaboration with the Institute for Peace, Security and Development Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), and other peace-focused groups.
The event, held to mark the United Nations World Peace Day themed “Act Now for a Peaceful World”—celebrated annually on September 21—highlighted the importance of calm, tolerance, and nonviolence in the electoral process.
Participants, carrying placards and banners with inscriptions such as “Avoid all forms of electoral violence,” “Say no to hate speech,” “Reject thuggery and kidnapping,” and “Shun cultism and related crimes,” marched from UNIZIK Temporary Site through Arroma Junction to Ekwueme Square in Awka.
Speaking on behalf of the Peace Committee, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, immediate past Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the walk was aimed at promoting peaceful campaigns and elections in the state.
“Peace is the bedrock of development. This is a critical time for us to watch our utterances and send a message of humility, discipline, and tolerance during the coming election,” he said. “We may not achieve perfection, but if we can ensure up to 80 percent peaceful conduct, it will be a success.”
Prof. Chukwuemeka Jaja Nwanegbo, Director of the Institute for Peace, Security and Development Studies, UNIZIK, said the rally was meant to send a strong signal to stakeholders to prioritize peace in the Anambra governorship election.
“We adjusted the global theme to ‘Act Now for a Peaceful Anambra Election’ to spread the message of peace across the state,” he explained.
“The key point is that the state’s interest must come before individual aspirations. Sadly, the electioneering process has become toxic due to the struggle for power. Our appeal is for everyone to put peace first so that Anambra can remain united and harmonious after the polls.”
Ambassador Festus Ozoemena, International President of the UN Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre, stressed that peace is priceless, adding that inner peace translates into communal and societal peace.
“Without peace, elections often end in litigation. We call on political players to give peace a chance, avoid hate speech and violence, and instead focus on ideology and development,” he said.
Another partner, Ndu Nwokolo, likened peace to a marriage that requires constant nurturing. He lamented the region’s decline in security, noting that the Southeast has shifted from being Nigeria’s safest region to one many now avoid.
Secretary of KDI’s Peace Committee, Ugochi Freeman, emphasized that peace walks and stakeholder engagements are vital in fostering credible elections. She called for collective action to ensure free, fair, and violence-free polls in Anambra.
