As the 2023 general election draws closer, the Executive Vice Chairman of the KADUNA State Peace Commission, Dr. Saleh Momale has said that it is necessary to work towards managing Violence and activities of politicians and their supporters, during and after the elections period.
This was contained in his welcome address during the stakeholder's Engagement on Conflict Sensitivity Approaches and Prevention of Related Violence in KADUNA Thursday 17th at Butterfly Hotel.
The Kaduna State Peace Commission in collaboration with Community Initiative To Promote Peace CIPP has organized stakeholder meetings aimed at identifying practical means towards achieving peaceful campaigns, election, and post-election periods.
"Because Kaduna State has had a history of violence during campaigns and post-election periods, hence the need to manage strategically politicians and their activities to prevent public disturbance of peace and social order." He said.
He explained that the commission has set up a campaign and election monitoring committee whose major task would be to monitor campaign rallies, media statements, social media postings, and other publicity items that are released by contestants and political parties and as well ensure that such statements are not inciting, provocative that could cause social disharmony and violent reactions.
"Conflicts and violence are needless in a democratic process, as such, utterances and actions that are capable of triggering violent reactions should not be part of the actions of any candidate aspiring to lead citizens."
The Vice Chairman while calling on religious leaders to refrain from endorsing candidates publicly, particularly in places of worship, also appealed to parents, youths, and community leaders not to allow politicians to use them negatively during the election.
The commission, however, called on all candidates, political parties, supporters, and the general citizenry to do all that is possible in ensuring the peaceful conduct of campaigns and elections in Kaduna State.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and JNI Representatives draw the attention of religious and traditional leaders to avoid hate speech during sermons, they should desist from supporting particular parties by brainwashing and misleading their fellowship.
They also urged politicians to desist from sponsoring conflicts and giving their supporters drugs to cause chaos during and after elections.
The meeting was in collaboration with Community Initiative To Promote Peace, CIPP, USAID, and others.
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