By Edna Ezinneamaka Onunaku
Celebrities United for Peace (CUP) have called on all stakeholders in the forthcoming general elections to eschew hate speech, fake news and shun violence as they go about campaigning for their preferred candidates.
Andy Chukwu, the convener of the organisation made this known in the Press Conference organised by CUP at Bolingo Xperia Hotel and Towers Abuja Tuesday.
While making reference to the verbal warfare that are usually experienced among supporters, who usually market and promote their candidates during electioneering campaigns, he noted that the focus of CUP ” is to disabuse the minds ofall stakeholders and the general public from extremism, hate speech, fake news dissemination and violent engagement throughout the electoral process.
He assured that CUP “will be a national orientation project to inspire Nigerians into political rationality while equally serving as an effective contributing mechanism to save the country from tribal division, religious intolerance, pre and post-election crises, loss of lives and properties.”
He commended the efforts of the law enforcement agents in ensuring national stability in the face of social instigations, tribal and religious sentiments even before the advent of the general elections calendar.
In his keynote address, meanwhile, Emeka Rollers Ejezie, the National President of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), added that its guild believes in free, fair and peaceful election and is non-partisan, and as such do not support or work for any political party.
He said that as a very serious influencing part of the society, AGN in line with CUP upholds peaceful participation in the electoral process as they create awareness in fighting for a better Nigeria even after the general elections.
Other celebrities present at the event included Dr Oluwadarasimi Chiukwu, Sixtus Opara, Barr Okoh Paschal, Chief Ebo and Amb Nazareth Bako among others.
Ifeoma Chukwu and Maryjane Helema Hele added colour to the event with side attractions.
