Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)) in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) with support from Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Program ((NSRP) held a One Day Town Hall meeting on Peaceful Elections in Kuje Area Council, FCT. The Town Hall Meeting was attended by Political Parties, Union of Road Transport Workers, Clergy Men, Traditional Heads, Artisans, Community influence and opinion Leaders, Council Officials, Security Personnel, Youth Groups, Market Women Associations, Students and Community Based Organizations. After exhaustive deliberations on the aim of the Town Hall which is to ensure non-violence elections before, during and after the elections. We, the participants:
Recognise that Elections in Nigeria must not end with violence and political actors must commit to the promotion and practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation; using the Abuja Peace Accord.
Also recognise the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including those based on political affiliations, religion, cultural belief, language or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
Express our deep concern about the glaring use of hate speeches by the political elites thereby creating dissenting followership as well as hatred amongst citizens not forgetting that a culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions and modes of behavior and ways of life which must be practiced.
Note that peace is not only the absence of conflict, but requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.
Also note violence undermines individual and social development weakens the Strengthening democratic institutions and full participation in the development process.
Further note the community will always work towards advancing understanding, tolerance and solidarity among all civilizations, peoples and cultures, including towards ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in the Council and the Capital at large.
We commit to adhere to the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among people irrespective of their political affiliations.
We affirm that peaceful coexistence in the community and amongst the people of Nigeria remains the responsibility of all and this we must preach in all our localities including homes, places of worships, markets, motor parks, tribal town meetings even after the elections are over.
We endorse peaceful elections and ask all youth within the community and the capital and Nigeria at large to Vote for Peace and report any form and/or act of perceived violence to the ward or traditional head, Police Station or Civil defense offices closest.
Will ensure that Kuje Area Council and the surrounding communities does not record any incidence of violence as proper civic education will be carried out for peaceful electoral participation.
Shall effectively set up a group known and shall be referred to as Partnership against Electoral Violence to engage all stakeholders and monitor events and provide any early warning.
Will support any project that enables people at all levels to develop skills of dialogue, negotiation, consensus building and peaceful resolution of differences long after the 2015 general elections.
Agreed to vote for peace and make contribution no matter how little to drill down peace and security beyond 2015 elections.
Signed:
Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)
Executive Director
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
Abuja
Josphine Alabi
Executive Director
Keen & Care Initiative
Kuje Area Council,
Abuja
Chief Ibrahim Kuyabwa
Chief of Rije
Kuje Area Council
Kuje
Abuja
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