Worried by the pockets of political violence that has trailed the current political campaigns in the state, the Kwara State Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Thursday stormed Ilorin metropolis to campaign for a violence free election in tomorrow’s gubernatorial and House of Assembly election in the state.
The campaign under the theme, Cultural crusade on violence free election which was anchored by members of the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture kicked off at about 9:52am.
The campaign train was made up of members of the performing troupe of the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture who carried placards with various inscriptions like ‘vote don’t fight’, ‘violence free election’ ‘exercise your civic right peacefully’ and many others.
Accompanied by drumming and dancing, the campaign train started at Sawmill Area, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Ibrahim Taiwo/Ita-Amodu Junction , Ibrahim Taiwo/Emirs Road, Post Office, Maraba, Tanke Tipper Garage and terminated at Offa Garage roundabout at 1:15pm
Speaking with this reporter during the campaign, the commissioner, Dr. Aminat Ahmed, speaking through the Director of Cultural Development, Hajia Aishat Buhari explained that, “we are doing this to sensitize the public on the need to exercise their civic right peacefully. You will agree with me that Kwara is known for peace and harmony and we want this to continue before, during and after the election.”
Buttressing this, the HOD of the performing troupe, Mrs. Adeola Osagbemi-Olanipekun said culturally Kwarans are known for peace and harmonious co-existence. “Kwara is not called state of harmony for fun. This is a state where different cultures and language coexist peacefully and that is why we are appealing to our people not to allow politics to divide them. Elections will come and go but we will always remain brothers and sisters,” she said.
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