The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Cross River says it will organise a peace walk and state-wide assessment of government projects across the state.
The Chairman, Mr Effiom Okon who made the disclosure in a press conference in Calabar on Monday, stated that the initiative would promote peaceful political participation and accountable governance.
Okon said that the council would physically inspect government projects, assess their level of implementation, and evaluate their impact on the people.
“The exercise will also identify areas requiring government intervention, and provide constructive recommendations to strengthen service delivery.
“Local government chairmen, security agencies, INEC, party chairmen, party leaders, candidates, community leaders and the public, are invited to the peace walk,” he said
The IPAC chairman said that the peace walk, scheduled to hold on Dec. 5, would commence at 9.00a.m.
He said that the walk planned to takeoff from the 11/11 Roundabout, Calabar, had the theme: “Unity in Diversity, Peace for a Greater Cross River”
“The initiative is a collective demonstration of the political parties’ commitment to peaceful coexistence, unity, and credible democratic participation,” he said.
Okon further said that the walk was not a campaign but a collective demonstration of commitment to peace, unity, political tolerance, and preservation of democratic space,” he said.
He said that political gladiators would be encouraged to walk side-by-side to demonstrate that political contexts should not make them enemies.
“Differences in political ideology should not threaten the common humanity of citizens or undermine the peace of the state,” he said.
Okon said that IPAC was encouraged by Gov. Bassey Otu’s assurance of open and democratic environment in which all political parties could freely exercise their constitutional rights.
“We urge parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, responsible political communication and peaceful engagement,” he said.(NAN)
