By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
Religious groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria have appealed to government and security personnel not to leave any stone unturned in prosecuting anyone involved in violence in this year’s general elections.
This is to ensure a hitch free general election towards having a fair, peaceful and creditable elections to serve as a way out in future elections in the country.
A communique issued after the dialogue organized by the Global Peace Foundation in partnership with ADF International and Vision Africa and attended by many stakeholders and over 300 youth leaders of religious, political, and civil society groups had representatives from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSIA), Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Christians Lawyers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, youth representing the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), People Living With Disability (PLWD), National Council of Muslim Youth Organisation (NACOMYO) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN, Youth Wing).
The participants observed that the prosecution of people involved in election violence would serve as a deterrent to others and create a conducive environment for Nigerians to elect candidates of their choice without any molestation or intimidation.
According to the communique, Nigerians should embrace religious freedom for a more united, peaceful and a prosperous country that its citizens would be proud to belong.
The communique stated, “We declared and proposed that in the pursuit of human security against plots to initiate violence, the national governments at all levels must implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), make use of reformist global development initiatives aimed at conflict prevention, build the capacity of the citizenry for human security and ensure youth inclusion in peace and conflict resolution.”
The religious organizations said in recognition of Nigeria’s status as the largest democracy in Africa, with an electorate that is composed mainly of younger voters that rely upon free and fair elections, Nigerians must ensure the legitimacy and stability of the electoral process on electoral violence as the country heads into the general elections.
The participants emphasized that INEC must avoid poor coordination of any electoral process, saying that lack of confidence in an electoral system breeds violence and stand against the good intention of having a credible election in the country.
It stressed the need to educate the youth on the dangers of electoral violence to democratic stability, advising that the youths should be supported in active and positive participation in the electoral process, create awareness about the electoral process.
According to the communique, efforts should be made to make the collation transparent and taking note of the importance of the upcoming presidential election and the grave responsibility facing the candidates and whoever may win to unite the country and provide practical solutions and leadership on a wide array of issues of concern
