The co-chairmen of National Peace Committee (NPC), Gen Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd), and Bishop Mathew Kukah have raised concern over violent election campaigns as the country heads into the 2023 polls.
The former head of state and the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto urged all the presidential candidates to abide by the peace accord they signed and caution their spokesmen as well as people representing them at different fora to be courteous of their utterances.
In a statement they jointly signed, the leaders of the National Peace Committee said they have watched with utter dismay the deterioration in the communication of fundamental issues among politicians since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the ban on political campaigns on September 28, 2022.
They said Nigerians had expected that as men and women of honour, they’ candidates were committed to keeping their words during the signing of the peace pact.
The committee warned that aggressive and abusive language would only diminish the integrity of the individuals, their candidates and their parties, just as it asked Nigerians to be ready to punish instigators of violence by isolating them or their candidates.
The statement noted: “A day after the ban was lifted and in response to a call by the NPC, the Presidential Candidates and their running mates met and participated in the signing of the Peace Accord at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Since its successful outing preceding the 2015 Presidential Elections, the signing of the Peace Accord has become embedded in our electioneering campaigns. Over the years, the event has elevated the level of trust and confidence among ordinary Nigerians in the Democratic process. Some have even called for the institutionalisation of the process into our democratic process due to its moral significance.
“The NPC has continued to maintain its partnership with the INEC to deliver peaceful elections in our country. The international community has taken very keen interest in the development and progress of our country on the path of Democracy.
” For this reason, the NPC has continued to work with and receive high level delegations from Europe and the United States of America interested in our elections. Their passion, concerns and commitment in our Democracy are genuine and we find this very encouraging. We should therefore know that the world is watching us.”
The peace commission however acknowledged that President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly have shown their commitment to ensuring the successful conduct of the 2023 elections, noting that it is also encouraged by the progress and innovation made by INEC.
“All Nigerians can testify to this development by the successes recorded in the peaceful conduct of the off-cycle elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states. We are not where we want to be yet, but we are right to assume that we can do more, ” the committee said.
According to the peace committee, Nigerians are genuinely concerned, troubled and disappointed by the conduct and attitude of some of the political actors in the last few weeks.
Abdulsalami and Kukah continued: “Nigerians have been fed a menu of intemperate language, intimidation and outright violence in the field of the campaigns. It is evident that some of our actors have not learnt any lessons from the past. There is an increasing tone of desperation, if not incitement, among some of the contestants and members of their parties.
“Intra and inter party wranglings still persist, with occasions of violence. In desperation, some selfish political actors use these strategies to pursue their frivolous ambitions in the courts.
“When all the presidential candidates and the party chairmen signed the peace accord, they were committed to infusing a sense of decency, civility and nobility in the political process. The political actors cannot pretend to be oblivious of the content of the Peace Accord that they signed. Nigerians expect that as men and women of honour, they were committed to keeping their words.”
They also commended the security agencies for continuing to do their best in monitoring security developments across the country, even as they urged them to ensure that the right environment is created for peaceful elections.
They further stated: “During the signing of the Peace Accord, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Baba Usman called attention to the fact that the federal government does not recognize any of the many security outfits that have mushroomed across the country. We call on the law enforcement agencies to enforce the law with the understanding that everyone will be held accountable for their actions, no matter their status.
“We wish to call on the media to remain focused in managing information. Social media is with us and it can be a tool for good if only we decide to use it for peaceful purposes. Citizens must be more discreet in the kind of information that they circulate on various platforms. Individuals must take responsibility for what they read. We encourage the Youth to be more restrained and to use their numbers well so as to guard their future.
“We call on all the candidates to rein in their Spokespersons and those who claim to represent them and their parties in the public media. All candidates will be held responsible for what is said on their behalf or of their party.
“Aggressive and abusive language only diminishes the integrity of the individuals, their candidates and their parties. Nigerians should be ready to punish instigators of violence by isolating them or their candidates.
“We call on the federal and state governments to ensure a level playing field for all parties in the course of the campaigns. Access to federal or state facilities must be open to all candidates as long as they meet their financial and other commitments to using the facilities. It is morally wrong to abuse the power of incumbency by subverting the efforts of those who are in opposition to the status quo. Parties and citizens do not lose their rights because they are opposed to the party in power. All citizens are above political parties.
“Finally, we call on fellow citizens to appreciate the global trends around the world and Africa and their impact on the future where resources are becoming scarce.”
Nigerians must appreciate the huge resources committed to elections and do everything possible to ensure its integrity. May God the creator of Heaven and earth continue to guide our country and hear our prayers for peace, prosperity, and progress.”
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