Erastus Awortu, the chairman of the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers, has accused politicians of luring repentant cultists into violence ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Mr Awortu made the accusation on Saturday at the grand finale of the Andoni Unity Festival in Ngo, the headquarters of the Andoni Local Government Area.

According to him, some people have started consulting some of the repentant cultists who laid down arms to embrace peace.

“Sadly, some over-ambitious politicians are already trying to lure them back to violence, and they’re already dishing out mouth-watering promises,” he said.

Nonetheless, the LG boss lauded those who have chosen to embrace peace.

“They introduced you to politics, gave you guns and money to cause mayhem in communities, killing your own brothers; they may have chosen other strategies, but we’re saying: ‘Andoni must continue to enjoy peace and unity.’”

Urging politicians to rise above petty ambitions in the interest of peace, he said his administration had invested so much to achieve the level of stability it is currently enjoying, adding that no politician is permitted to take the area back to obscurity and unrest.

“As the general elections approach, I’m sure you will remain committed to a violence-free exercise to help us continue to nurture the potential economic interest of the area in the next political dispensation,” he said.

Mr Awortu also noted that the festival and cultural exhibitions have further identified the area as a safe business community for tourism.

“The natural ambiance, wildlife, sand beach, sea deposits, and a viable population of youths are indications that Andoni is a prosperous business hub,” he said.

(NAN)