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Pro-masses and frontline sociopolitical pressure group in Enugu State, the Save Enugu Group (SEG), has uncovered clandestine moves to destabilise the state ahead of the 2023 general elections under the guise of political agitation by some political actors in the state, urging authorities in the state to be proactive to prevent electoral violence.

According to them, insecurity is avoidable in some cases if the leadership and gatekeepers at the local councils, states and the federal levels took proactive steps by addressing the immediate and remote causes of unrests, especially electoral violence and thuggery.

The group at a press briefing in Enugu, the state capital, noted that the secret plot “is the reason for brewing campaign of calumny and politics of bitterness already rearing its ugly ahead as preparations for the 2023 general elections begin in earnest in Enugu State.”

The National Coordinator of Save Enugu Group, Chief Willy Ezugwu, who addressed the media said that even opponents of the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi “administration can testify that in the last seven years, Enugu State has become less and less rancorous than what it used to be in the past.”

The Save Enugu Group said that “As you all know, the Save Enugu Group has carried on its pro-people activism over the years, advocating for rule of law, transparent leadership and good governance in our dear state.

“This we have done in defence of good governance for a better society, just as we have stood to condemn bad leadership.

“Let us be clear that this press conference is not to hold brief for the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration but in compliance with the Save Enugu Group’s longstanding tradition to stand with the ordinary people in event of breakdown of law and order and who will also suffer the negative impact of bad governance.

“As we all are aware, there is an unprecedented wave of insecurity across the country.

“The insecurity we have today is avoidable in some cases if the leadership and gatekeepers at the local councils, states and the federal levels took proactive steps by addressing the immediate and remote causes of unrests, especially electoral violence and thuggery.

“To this end, we wish to call attention of the authorities and stakeholders to clandestine moves, led by a few individuals, to destabilise Enugu State under the guise of political agitation which is the reason for brewing campaign of calumny and politics of bitterness already rearing its ugly ahead as preparations for the 2023 general elections begin in earnest in Enugu State.

“This alarm has become apparent in view of the fact that even the opponent of the current administration can testify that in the last seven years, Enugu State has become less and less rancorous than what it used to be in the past”, the group said.

The body added that “the serene political atmosphere we now enjoy was no doubt a product of the efforts of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration to ensure peace in Enugu State by carrying the people along in the scheme of things for the sake of development of the state.

“No state or community can develop in the absence of peace and security of lives and property.

“We therefore enjoin politicians in Enugu State to base their politicking ahead of 2023 on issues in the interest of the ordinary citizens in the state.

“Thus far, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has set a template of grassroots development, liberal leadership, and all-inclusive government for over seven years, which we believe that whoever wins the 2023 governorship election in our dear state must emulate if service to the people is the person’s sole objective”, the Save Enugu Group noted.