The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Benue state council, on Thursday staged a match to demonstrate their support for peaceful, credible, free and fair elections in the country.
The rally was in compliance with the directive of the national body of the NUJ to state councils to advocate for peace before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
The National President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, had declared Thursday February 14, 2019, as National Media Peace Day.
The day, which had the theme “Nigeria media peace Day: Think Election, Think Peace” was aimed at engendering violence-free 2019 elections.
The procession, which started as early as 8: 30 am from the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, IBB, Square ended at the NUJ House, as journalists bore placards with inscriptions like “Do not sell your right.Get in the Vote Not in the Fight”, “Cast Your Votes, Not Your Weapons”, “Share The Love, Don’t Shed The Blood”, among others.
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Leading the March, the state council chairman, Mrs Victoria Ashar said the NUJ wanted to add its voice that the Saturday Presidential and all other elections be done free, fair and in a peaceful environment.
“We have been directed to hold peace day by the national council and it is in compliance to that directive that the Benue council came out to send signal to the World that the NUJ is saying the elections must be free, fair and peaceful.
“We want peace in Benue, we want peace in Nigeria, Vote, don’t fight. Our youths should not be used as thugs or instruments of violence. So, let there be peace as we conduct these elections”, she said.
