TheCable

Hamzat Lawal, activist and chief executive officer of Connected Development (CODE), has urged political candidates for the governorship election in Kogi to focus their campaign messages on peace and national cohesion.

Lawal stated this on Friday shortly after the Eid-el-Fitri prayer held in Okene, Kogi state, to mark the end of Ramadan.

“This period of Eid-el-Fitri is a better avenue to talk to political leaders,” he said.

“I encourage politicians in the state to focus on fostering peace, unity, and national cohesion, which would pave way for the dividend of democracy.”

Lawal said as a member of civil society, it is important to keep a track record of what politicians say during the campaign, “so when they are elected into public office, they can be held accountable”.

“On Thursday, I accompanied the APC candidate and some party stalwarts to pay homage to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

“I will also observe the candidates of the People’s Democratic Party, Labour Party, Action Alliance, African Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, and all other governorship candidates, to ensure that their messages centre around peace, unity, and national cohesion.”

He added that Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi, has made appreciable effort to ensure peace and harmony between Muslims, Christians, and other ethnic groups in the state.

“Kogi needs a governor that will build on the legacy of peace the governor has established, economic prosperity can only thrive in a peaceful atmosphere.”

Lawal also urged civil society organisations to ensure that public officeholders are held accountable through accurate data, as that is a vital way to extend the dividend of democracy to the people, especially the downtrodden.