Eighteen registered political parties, 14 governorship candidates as well as federal and state legislative candidates in Kaduna State yesterday committed to a peaceful 2023 general election in the state through the signing of a peace accord in Kaduna, the state capital.
The peace accord was the highpoint of a high level meeting of political parties, candidates and stakeholders for peaceful campaigns and elections in the state.
The meeting was organized by Kaduna State Peace Commission (KAPCOM) with support from Hope Action Progress; Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW) ActionAid; Christian Aid; Global Community Engagement and Resiliant Fund (GCERF); SARVE and Global Peace Development (GPD). The theme of the event was “Building consensus and mobilizing collective action for peaceful 2023 general elections in Kaduna State”.
In his keynote address, chairman of KAPECOM, Most Reverend Josiah ldowu-Fearon who spoke on the imperatives of Peaceful Elections in Entrenching Democracy in Nigeria said, democracy only thrives in an atmosphere of peace and social tranquility.
He stressed that political parties, candidates, supporters and the citizens can only exercise their free choice and franchise when law and order prevails.
He said, “let’s collectively embrace the best democratic values, respect the dignity of the human person, eschew provocation and hate speech and campaigning along ethnic and religious lines.
Bishop Fearon said sustainable democracy and deepening of citizens participation is best achieved when there is collectively agree to be peaceful and commit to peaceful processes.
He urged the political parties and candidates to remember that democracy requires not only free, fair, and competitive elections, but also the freedoms that make them truly meaningful which includes freedom of organisation and freedom of expression.
“Alternative sources of information, and institutions to ensure that government policies depend on the votes and preferences of the citizens; freedom of association, and freedom of movement must be in place; and you educate your members that in democracy, citizens must have a free way to choose leaders of their choice and be able to have freedom of expression within the given framework.”
Earlier in his goodwill message, Mr. Celestine Okwudili Odo, the ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) Governance Programme manager who represented the country director, commended the Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women and other partners for their efforts in organizing the event that is aimed at facilitating dialogue with governorship candidates on sustaining peace dialogues at State, LGA and Community Levels in Kaduna Sate.
“This is targeted at addressing (in the short term) issues that pose threats to peace and security, thus ensuring accountability/deterrence for hate/dangerous speeches by politicians who need to stand upright for Nigeria and Kaduna State by engaging in the political process from your very own community by obeying the laws of the Nigerian constitution and being peaceful citizens of Kaduna State.”
Security agencies at the meeting assured they will provide enabling environment for peaceful and credible elections to all parties and candidates.
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