Nigeria’s Peace, Security Sacrosanct, CSO Tells Aggrieved Politicians

A civil society organisation (CSO) working on conflict prevention and peacebuilding in Nigeria, Building Blocks for Peace Foundation has called on the people to remain calm, stating that the peace and security of the country remain sacrosanct.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s presidential election.

Before the announcement, some aggrieved political parties including the PDP, Labour Party and NNPP called for the cancellation of the election.  

But a statement issued by the executive director, Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Rafiu Lawal said while they condemned all reported incidents of intimidation and violence against electorates, electoral officers, media and security personnel that have stained the process in selected locations across states like Lagos, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Imo, among others, the group urged Nigerians to remain peaceful.

“We are concerned about inciting comments emanating from certain political and religious actors and individuals.

“We take this medium to appeal to all citizens, especially young men and young women to remain on the path of peace as we all continue to struggle to ensure that the choices of the people prevail. We all must acknowledge that Nigeria’s Peace and Security are sacrosanct and that the cost of peace is cheaper than the cost of war, “ the group said.

“We encourage citizens to remain calm, refuse from disseminating fake news and eschew violence in all forms. We call on INEC to be steadfast in discharging her duties accordingly and at the same time encourage all aggrieved parties to consider seeking redress through the appropriate court of competent jurisdiction and not take laws into their hands or incite their supporters to cause mayhem,” said.