Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Arch. Gabriel Aduku has said anyone who threatens peace, no matter how highly placed, should be sanctioned.
The warning is coming ahead of the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
In a statement to commemorate the World Day of Peace, Aduku said that peace was the panacea to the country’s development, adding that sanctions were necessary to guarantee a peaceful, free and fair election and restore confidence in the nation’s democracy.
“The situation in Kogi State is particularly worrisome, especially in the run off to the off-season gubernatorial election on November 11, 2023.
“The onset of campaigning for the election has been marked by one form of state-tolerated violence or the other, thereby threatening the peace and security of the State,” he said.
He added that, “In recent times, there have been reported cases of intimidation of candidates of other political parties by the ruling APC government in Kogi State.
“This is ostensibly with a view to shutting out candidates with credible pedigree from actualising their aspiration. This practice must be curtailed in view of the plural nature of our democratic system.”