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 AMAC 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 organisations, keke napep and okada riders association. After exhaustive deliberations on the aim of the town hall meeting which is to ensure non-violence elections before, during and after the elections. We, the participants:
Recognise that eace and security Infrastructure remain the crux of preventive mechanism during the general elections and the way out of the doldrums is for political parties to avoid inciting and acrimonious campaigns, and focus on issues affecting the core welfare of the people.
Also Recognise all institutions of government including INEC and security agencies must act and be seen to act with impartiality and to forcefully and publicly speak out against provocative utterances and oppose all acts of electoral violence whether perpetrated by ruling class supporters and/or opponents.
Express our deep concern over any call or action taken towards postponing, shifting or abandoning the scheduled elections for any form of transitional or interim arrangement will only serve to further inflame the current situation and precipitate a crisis that will almost certainly lead to the termination of the current democratic experience in particular, and the democratization process in general.
Note that despite the Abuja Accord signed by the political actors, there is no compliance by the aspirants in upholding the content of such agreement as religious and other ethnic vituperations is still the hallmark of political campaigns.
Also note electoral politics remains one of the leading notable sources of conflict, political breakdown and social disequilibrium in the Fourth Republic of Nigeria’s democracy. Despite the appreciation that only credible election can consolidate and sustain Nigeria’s nascent democracy, its electoral process often result to confrontations that continue to threaten the political stability, peace and the very existence of the nation.
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 launch peace initiative partnership on 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 AMAC Area Council and the surrounding communities does not record any incidences 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
HRH Alh. Umar Abubakar
Tsapeyi of Garki
Abuja Municipal Area Council
Abuja
Cyprian Onague
Rep. Igbo Community Association
Abuja Municipal Area Council
Abuja
Musa Ibrahim
Chairman, Keke Riders Association
Abuja Municipal Council
Abuja
Emmanual Ezea
Peoples’ Democratic Party
Abuja Municipal Council
Abuja
Nazir Idris
All Progressive Grand Alliance
Abuja Municipal Area Council
Abuja
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