A group, the Intercontinental Leadership Initiative has called for a peace rally/walk project in the six geo-political zones of the country with a view to fostering national unity, peace and progress over the just-concluded 2023 elections.
Lead Trustee of the group, Prince Stafford Jedidiah Bisong, made the call at a press conference with journalists in Abuja.
Bisong said that elections have come and gone, it has been won and lost, leaving us with a country
more divided along ethnic, religious and political lines than ever before.
He said that the divisions, which have the tendencies to generate into ethnic hate and large-scale violence if not nibbed in the bud, were the reason for the deliberate effort aimed at mending and uniting the current fragile relationships and building peace amongst Nigerians.
“Consequent upon the above, we (Intercontinental Leadership Initiative, National Orientation Agency and a Coalition of Civil Society Organization) thought it pertinent organizing this Nationwide Rally/Peace Walk to be held in all the six Geopolitical Zones with the sole aim of fostering National Unity, Peace and Progress, especially after our 2023 General Elections.
“We want all our political leaders and stakeholders to come out and walk the peace talk.
“Even though in the past, one thing we had come to reckon with, is that we pay lot of lip services to our Nationhood and the future generations with the general excuse that, we are too busy, even to the detriment of our country.
“But at this point in our national life, we all must take a leave from any excuses as we all have a duty to come out to speak loudly with our actions towards unlocking the dreams of our founding fathers; of One Nation bound in Freedom, Peace and Unity.
“The Nationwide Rally/Peace Walk, post 2023 General Elections is intended to be a
platform of mutual accommodation, which if utilized could achieve socio-political harmony in Nigeria,” he said.
Prince Bisong expressed hopes that the Nationwide Rally/Peace Walk will be used as a workable tool for understanding and Peace building as a means of contributing to adaptability, unity, faith and progress amongst the diverse political interests and ethnic communities that constitute our nation Nigeria.
“We believe that the peace walk will bring about a synergic cooperation that will transform into love, strength and faith in our unity as a people and for the greater good of our dear country Nigeria.
“Irrespective of how we feel about the results of the elections, we earnestly appeal to every stakeholder to embrace the Olive Branch so as not to let the sacrifices and Labour of our heroes past be in vain.
“We are optimistic that this programme will help
catalyse the emergence of a renewed and acceptable mind-set in our political landscape and among Nigerians in general on the necessity of One Big, Strong and United Nigeria founded in peace and love,” he stated.
