Popular Nigerian entertainment stars like Helen Paul, Ime Bishop Okon, Tayo Faniran, Adaora Onyechere of AIT and Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV and a host of other celebrities, yesterday canvassed support for free fair and credible 2015 general elections.

Recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as outstanding young people in youth mobilization, the INEC ambassadors pledged total support for INECs campaign drive against violence in the electoral process.

Speaking at a one day INEC interactive session with popular Nigerian Artistes and INEC Youth Ambassadors held at Sheraton Hotels and Towers Abuja, National Commissioner and Chairman IVEC, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, represented by the Director of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP), Oluwole Osaze – Uzzi congratulated the Ambassadors “on their appointment and commended them for their exemplary conduct and diligent work in youth mobilization since their appointment”.

He said: “the Commission recognizes the peculiar needs of the Nigerian youths, hence the series of engagements with youths for the purpose of ensuring that the 2015 general elections are not just free and fair, but also violence-free electoral processes”.

The National Commissioner added that: “as a Commission, we will not relent in our efforts of engagements for the purpose of violence-free elections, as we believe that the electoral process is essential and fundamental to deepening our democracy.”

On his part, the Director VEP, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, while congratulating the Ambassadors and artistes for responding to the clarion call to partner with INEC, reminded them that as INEC Youth Ambassadors, “we have placed on your shoulders the onerous responsibility of inspiring the youths to act right, more so as we turn the most important corner of our electoral cycle.”

He added that: “we therefore count on you to continue to use and maximize your privileged positions in the society, as well as your expertise to enrich the contents and reach of the Commission’s publicity materials for effective galvanization of the populace to participate positively in the electoral process.”

Responding on behalf of the Ambassadors, Helen Paul appreciated the Commission for choosing and believing in them to spread the message of peace and in ensuring that Nigerians participated in the electoral process peacefully.

She assured the Commission of their total support for the campaign, saying they would ensure their followers and fans acted right and voted right.

Meanwhile, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has urged the INEC Youth Ambassadors to place a certain level of restriction on their socio-political engagements.

Professor Jega made the call at an interactive session with popular Nigerian artistes and INEC Youth Ambassadors which took place at the Commission’s headquarters yesterday.

The INEC Chairman called on them to be non-partisan, showing no favour to any candidate. He said: “permit me to remind you that your new responsibility of volunteering to serve your father land at this time of our national life comes with certain burdens and restrictions on the level of your socio-political engagement. You must at all times be seen as non-partisan showing no favor to any political party or candidate.”

He implored the youth icons to desist from acts that may bring the Commission to disrepute while urging them to “jealously guard their good names.”

Jega commended the Ambassadors for their efforts in promoting peaceful 2015 elections thus far, and reassured them of the Commission’s commitment towards partnering with outstanding youths in strengthening the electoral process now and in the future.

Responding on behalf of the Ambassadors, Ibrahim Addra, commended the INEC Chairman for his efforts towards ensuring peaceful, fair and credible polls, and pledged the unanimous support of the ambassadors.

Source: INEC Bulletin