How e-VIP Project Saved Akwa Ibom from Electoral Violence- YOFCI
A Non-Governmental Organisation,Youth for Change and Social Life Development Foundation (YOFCI) has opened up on how the Election Violence Mitigation and Prevention (e-VIP) project in Akwa Ibom State contributed significantly in saving Akwa Ibom State from violence during the just conducted general election.
The e-VIP project implemented by YOFCI in Akwa Ibom State is funded by Foundation for Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (PIND).
YOFCI in a press briefing held on Saturday had said that the project had helped in the prevention, mitigations and resolution of election-related conflicts in eight selected Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom States; Uyo, Ibiono Ibom, Itu, Ikono, Obot Akara, Oron, Eket, and Ukanafun.
According to the Executive Director of YOFCI, Amb. Peace Edem, the project conducted activities on sensitization/media messaging, Community Stakeholders Networks (CSNs), training of peace monitors in election-related conflict incident reporting, advocacy visitations, and multi-stakeholders’ forum.
Edem who said the e-VIP project activities which were conducted over a period of eight months were targeted at the sensitization of young people and relevant stakeholders on the importance of peaceful election and the dangers of election-related violence helped significantly in reducing election violence against what was anticipated across the State.
The Executive Director noted that YOFCI had established a community-based stakeholders’ network in the state to respond to reported violence incidents.
He said they had also ensured advocacy engagement to relevant stakeholders on curbing election related violence; and holding stakeholder’s engagement forum of critical stakeholders with a commitment to peaceful elections evidenced by the signing of Peace Accord or issuance of communiqué.
Edem added ” The project contributed towards peaceful and violence free election by youths and stakeholders through our timely and coordinated response to potential triggers and electoral incidents by establishing CSNs.
” Political party stakeholders and principals upholded their commitment to a peaceful and violence free election, party candidates and stakeholders engaged in peaceful conduct of elections through commitments made in the peace accord that we designed.”
The Executive Director also pointed out that the provisions of the new Electoral Act had made the organisation’s work easy as they were able to highlight to the people how they will lose out if ballot boxes are snatched or other forms of violence at the polling units take place.
Edem said the reason the organization was focused on curbing violence stemmed from the fact that when violence is addressed, there is a strong likelihood for the election to be peaceful and acceptable.
He said post election engagement was held at Obot Akara, Ibiono Ibom and Itu local government areas.
The organisation which thanked PIND Foundation for their contribution and funding support in facilitating peaceful outcomes pre, during, and post 2023 general elections assured that they will sustain advocacy for peace as the local government elections draw nearer in the State.