Date: 2015-02-02

The Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly and APC candidate contesting Federal House of Representative- Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Razak Atunwa has called on Nigerians to embrace and demonstrate peaceful conduct in ensuring violence free elections come February 14th and 28th.

The Speaker who made the call in statement signed by his media office said peace and decorum are salient virtues Nigerians have to embrace and demonstrate in the effort to make the elections violence free. "Our minds and actions about the forthcoming general elections must be peace driven; it must be firmly established in our hearts that the opportunity presented by the election is designed to make a change in our country and not cause violence" he stated.

"Election is not war! As we count down to the general elections; I urge us all to be committed to the success of these elections, avoid violence and expose any traits of violence in our areas to security agents. Remember, all you and I need to do is "vote", observe and defend our votes in peaceful and legal manners and not engage in "violence" he added.

Atunwa who emphasized the importance of building and sustaining democratic values also called on government and non-governmental organizations, individuals and groups to join the campaign and orientation for peaceful elections in all parts of Nigeria. "The onus of having a peaceful election does not rest on INEC or the Armed Forces alone; the onus rests on all Nigerians, organizations and groups; all must strongly commit themselves to the course and stay in support of transparent, credible, peaceful, free and fair elections across the nation" he said.

Assessing the electoral system in previous elections and the concern of the international community toward the success of Nigeria's general elections, Atunwa lauded the United State's Secretary of States, Mr. John Kerry for his articulate call for peaceful elections in Nigeria. In agreement with Kerry's comments, Atunwa urged candidates contesting under various political parties to embrace the use of court system to address electoral doubts and not encourage their supporters to go into the streets.

"Nigeria is at the world center of political discourse today and the concern about our nation's political stability during and after the elections is gaining increasing attention with various commentaries and analysis. As a figure of leadership, every candidate irrespective of the political party, should preach peace to his or her supporters and exercise respect for the rule of law by making use of law court to address electoral doubts" he said.

"Nigeria must make a positive difference, we must show the world that we are capable of conducting non violent elections in spite of the tensed political atmosphere; we must bear in mind that without peace and stability, we cannot reset or build Nigeria into a better society. Thus I encourage every Nigerian once again, organizations and groups, our armed forces, candidates and the electoral body to work with high level of commitment to ensure the forthcoming elections are peaceful and transparent" the lawmaker said.