2023: Stakeholders harp peace for free, fair electioneering process
By Chima Azubuike
Some Stakeholders have harped the need for peace, adding that its major ingredient in the actualisation of democratic process in Gombe and the nation at large.
They made this disclosure on Wednesday during a one-day peace dialogue organised by Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), with collaboration from Wildan Care Foundation in Gombe.
Our Correspondent reports that first aid groups from both christian and muslim organisations as well as voluntary security groups participated in the dialogue.
Speaking, Hussaini Abdullahi, Fellow of COFP, said the programme was important in view of the need to sustain the prevailing peace in the state,”the atmosphere is becoming hot, that is why we organised this with every relevant stakeholder in order to seek for the way out,” he said.
While appealing to all stakeholders to support the peace building, Abdullahi stressed that peace remained key to achieving the democratic process, he added, “As well as enhancement project in their community to ensure that the violence that often come with elections was averted in 2023.”
Also speaking, Oqua Etim, the Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command said all arrangements had been made to ensure a peaceful elections in the state.
Etim who was represented by ASP Suleiman Nasiru, urged the residents to eschew violence and report suspicious attempts to breach peace before, during and after the elections.
On his part, Haruna Umar Malala, Director Vigilance, who represented the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, Jidiya Abah, explained that the State Government has made plans to ensure smooth electoral process.
He said, “The event is coming at the right time because the 2023 general elections is around the corner. We have seen violent elections and we are not praying for a repeat of violence.”
Dalhatu Tukur, the Chief Imam of Dawaki Mosque who represented the Council of Ulamas in Gombe said the prevailing peace in Gombe State was the reason for the population growth and business boom in the state.
Tukur said because of the importance of peace, it was important for all stakeholders to ensure that their acts and words do not cause violence especially going into elections.
He said it was not right for religious leaders to interfere with the political choices of their followers.
“Islam taught us to explain the quality of good leaders and not to choose. It is mandatory of us to tell the people the right attributes and characters of leaders.
“Interfering with the choices of followers can create problems and disharmony; allow the voters to think deeply and choose his or her leader,” he said.
Also, Rev. Abare Kalla, the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) North-East, who was represented by Rev Jim Amos, said peaceful coexistence going into the election was key to having credible polls in the state and country, hence appealed to his members to desist from making any political statements capable of inciting their followers.
He said, “Actually, those kind of statements (hate speeches) from religious and political leaders are uncalled for.
“It’s a breach to peace and we call on political and religious leaders to desist from such statement that can cause violence, loss of lives and properties.
“I will also want to encourage that religious leaders should not be partisans when it comes to the issue of politics
“Because as religious leaders in our churches, we have different political parties and the religious leader is pastor of all parties.
“So he should not come out supporting a particular party or endorse a particular group for as a father of all, you are supposed to nurture all the parties.
“Not coming to say vote this or that party, I endorse this, that is not good.
“ I am saying that pastors should desist from endorsing people or parties. It’s not good. It’s not right because God is for all and we are God’s representatives and so therefore be for all.”
