Anaocha (Anambra), Sept. 30, 2025(NAN) The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), has launched voter sensitisation in markets and communities to encourage residents to participate peacefully and knowledgeably in the Nov.8 governorship election.
Mrs Ugochi Ehiahuruike, Executive Director, SIDEC, said during a sensitisation campaign held at Oye Market, Ichida in Anaocha Local Government Area, that the residents should take ownership of their future through responsible voting.
The campaign was in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to increase voter turnout from the 10 per cent recorded in the 2021 governorship election to 25 per cents.
Ehiahuruike urged residents to vote wisely, reject electoral malpractice, and embrace peaceful participation.
She said: “your vote is your power. It is the strongest weapon citizens have to reward good governance and punish bad leadership.
“Do not let anyone buy your conscience or lure you into violence. If you know the beginning of violence, you may never know the end.
“We are making this call to provoke reflection and awaken the civic conscience of voters because when you sell your vote, you sell your future.
“The more people come out to vote, the harder it becomes for desperate politicians to manipulate the process”.
Also speaking, Mr JohnPaul Okeke, SIDEC Coordinator in Anaocha, emphasised the need for credible leadership that can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“We need a governor who will fix our roads, invest in education and provide quality healthcare.
“But that only happens when people participate in the process. If you do not vote, you make it easier for the wrong people to take over,” he said.
In her remarks, Mrs Apollonia Osigwe, Oye Market Woman Leader, urged the traders to be active participants in the democratic process.
“Your voter’s card is your right. Use it wisely. Sitting at home on election’s day is unpatriotic,” she said.
SIDEC’s team moved around the market, distributed flyers and engaging traders and customers in one-on-one conversations on the need to participate in the election.
They carried placards bearing messages such as: ‘Your Vote, Your Right’, ‘Say No to Electoral Violence’ and ‘Don’t Sell Your Vote’, among others.(NAN)
