The Network of Civil Society Organisations of Borno State organised a two-day meeting last week to encourage peaceful behaviour during the elections in 2023.
The theme was “Voter education as a panacea for peaceful 2023 elections”. The meeting was the result of a collaboration with the European Union, the British Council, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), youths and students, women-affiliated associations, stakeholders from all political parties, the Borno State chapters of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as well as the Borno State government and other local associations and organisations. The aim was to brainstorm about how to keep the peace and promote hitch-free elections in 2023.
The two-day meeting was held on Tuesday, November 8, and Wednesday, November 9, at the Dujima International Hotel in the state’s capital, Maiduguri.
Participants pledged to replicate the lessons and useful tips learnt at the event. They agreed to shun all acts capable of destroying peaceful conduct at the elections.
Mohammed Bukar Kime, secretary-general of the Borno State chapter of the Students Union in Government (SUG) at the University of Maiduguri, told RNI that he was grateful students had been invited to attend the event.
“Several resource people delivered keynote speeches and presented papers on peaceful conduct during the coming 2023 general elections. They taught us how to shun thugs, drug abuse or taking drugs, causing violence and brawls and not to be manipulated by politicians or their henchmen who might offer bribes or other offerings to secure votes.
“I urge my fellow youths and students to avoid such acts and conduct themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the elections. I call on youths to be alert and refrain from being used by politicians in any way during the elections. Peace, unity and stability are above violence. Peace is priceless.”
Amina Zanna Budum, a member of the Borno State chapter of the National Council For Women Societies (NCWS), told RNI that they had been invited to pave the way for peaceful conduct during the elections.
“We learnt a lot about peace building. I call on the youths and women not to engage in any acts that will bring about violence, instability and fighting, especially during the elections because such actions could tarnish their reputation. Be smart and wise. Don’t allow any politician to use you in any way.”
The Network of Civil Society Organisations of Borno State told RNI that the meeting was “all about creating awareness” among voters, as well as promoting peace, unity and stability before, during and after the elections.
Bulama Abiso, the network’s executive director, said: “The purpose of organising the meeting was to educate and enlighten the public and to promote peace and unity, especially around the time of the elections. We all know that Borno State was one of the states worst hit by the insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast. So, it’s imperative for us stand firm and maintain the relative peace and security now being enjoyed in the state.
“That’s why we invited security agencies, youths and/or students and women associations, government agencies, such as the NOA and the INEC, all associations affiliated to the transport sector, local and international non-governmental organisations [NGOs], such as the British Council, European Union and the Al–Amin Foundation. We also invited all the political party stakeholders, the NUJ, NBA and the Nigerian Labour Congress [NLC].”
Abiso said 2023 was fast approaching.
“I urge parents and guardians to caution their children not to engage in any kind of malicious activities, such as political thuggery and violence. The youths were admonished not to take drugs because drug abuse and addiction is very harmful and it can lead to violence and fighting, not only during the elections but always.
He said political party candidates should stop using the youths as thugs to disrupt peaceful behaviour during the elections. Those politicians were just in it “for their own selfish interest”.
“All the candidates must accept the fact that politics is not a game of do or die; instead it’s a game in which there is a winner and a loser. I urge all politicians to embrace peace and unity whether they win or lose.”
Mustapha Adam Kolo, a lecturer from the geography department of the University of Maiduguri and a moderator at the meeting, told RNI that it was specifically organised to brainstorm about how to promote peace and unity in the elections by creating public awareness.
“Many people participated in the meeting, including the stakeholders from various political parties in the state.
“An election is not a war and it’s not a do-or-die affair. I urge everyone to vote for the candidate of his or her choice in a peaceful manner without causing violence or fighting. Political party candidates must become agents of peace-building by cautioning their respective supporters to shun all kind of malicious acts capable of disrupting peace and unity during the elections.”
SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO
