2023: Stakeholders harps on violence free elections in Kaduna
By: Femi Mustapha
Ahead of 2023 general elections, which is fast approaching stakeholders in Kaduna yesterday tasked political parties and Gubernatorial candidates on issue-based and peaceful campaigns.
This stakeholders which include Kaduna State Peace Commission Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women, (LANW) ActionAid Nigeria (Ann) through the We You Project and the SARVE III Project and Christian Aid asserted this during the Signing of Peace Accord by Gubernatorial Candidates
The Stakeholders harped on the need for all the political actors in the country to play their part in the interest of a transparent electoral process.
In his remarks, the Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria Mrs. Ene Obi said the signing of the Peace Accord is targeted at addressing issues that pose threats to peace and security, thus ensuring accountability/deterrence for hate/dangerous speech by politicians,
While beaming the spotlight on the theme of the Day” Building Consensus and Mobilising Collective Action for Peaceful 2023 General Elections in Kaduna State. ” Mrs. Obi who was represented by Mr. Celestine Okwudili Odo, Governance Programme Manager ANN said they are in Kaduna are to engage with the selected Gubernatorial candidates and political parties to declare their support towards a peaceful election process.
According to him the engagement is a public event where political parties and candidates will be tasked with embracing each other and sign a commitment to peaceful elections in the presence of their supporters and the public
He opined the it is geared towards achieving tangible and sustainable improvements towards a peaceful election in the state by influencing positive behavioural change amongst youths and other vulnerable groups likely to engage in acts of violence during the elections, to engender trust and confidence of the electorate in the electoral process, and to address the drivers of political violence to work for peace during and after the election process.
“Secondly, today’s event offers critical stakeholders such as civil society organizations, the Independent National Electoral Commission, Security Agencies, the Women Interfaith Council, National Peace Committee, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and chairmen of political parties the opportunity to engage and discuss issues that affect peaceful co-existence within the state and identify the causes of elections violence in the state.
” It is also instructive that by the end of this event today, we can secure the commitments of these candidates on their intended steps to ensure peace and stability in Kaduna State. ” he said
In her welcome remarks LANW Project Officer on the We-You project, Hannatu Ahuwan said what Nigerians needs are a peaceful, fair, and corruption free election in the 2023 general poll.
She blamed electoral violence on the lack of democratic culture, saying the difference between democratic and military rulers is democratic culture which all Nigerians must imbibe.