2023: EU, NGO advocate peaceful elections in Nigeria

The SOS Children's Villages, an international nongovernmental organization (NGO) in collaboration with the European Union, has called for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

The National Director of SOS Children's Villages Nigeria, Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse, made the call on Tuesday at a community sensitization for people in Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan.

Erhumwunse, who was represented by the Regional Programme Manager for the South, Mr. Ayodeji Adelopo, said that the aim of the forum was to foster a functional, inclusive, and participatory democracy in Nigeria through a peaceful electoral process.

He said that the expected outcome of the forum was to see that the capacity of stakeholders in the election process was strengthened through participation and representation to curb destruction of lives and livelihoods during and after the election.

"If our electioneering process is not peaceful, we cannot have the development that we desire." "We want the participants to take the message of the need to conduct peaceful elections in Nigeria to the grassroots," he said.

Also speaking, the Gender Desk Officer at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Catherine Ogwu, said that the commission is fully prepared to deliver credible elections.

She noted that the electoral umpire has taken into consideration critical stakeholders in elections, such as people with disabilities and people with special needs.

Ogwu said that Nigerians still need more sensitisation on the need to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

She disclosed that over 700,000 permanent voters' cards had yet to be collected in Oyo State alone.

Similarly, Mr. Michael Adaralewa, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State, said that the state command was collaborating with other sister security agencies in the state to ensure credible elections.

Adaralewa, who was represented by Mrs. Fatty Fache, said that the NSCDC would ensure the development of civil education programs and sensitization to motivate citizens' involvement in an active electoral process.

Similarly, the Divisional Police Officer, Moniya Police Station, Ibadan, CSP Jacob Opobi, represented by SP Roseline Odey, urged parents to talk to their children to avoid being used for election violence.

Mr. Quadri Abdulsalam, the president of the National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), called on the youths to see the 2023 general elections as a crucial time to take good decisions that would positively influence the future of Nigeria.

In his contribution, the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Akinyele LGEA, Ibadan, Samuel Oluranti, urged the religion leaders to use their platforms to preach the message of contentment, peace, and fear of God as the 2023 general elections approach.

The Chairman of the League of Imams, Akinyele LGEA, Abdulrasheed Are, urged parents to monitor the movements of their children and teach them not to collect money from any politician for the purpose of election violence.

Supreme reports that the meeting featured panel sessions from representatives of faith-based organizations (FBOs), security agencies, and the drafting of the communiqué on the peaceful conduct of the 2023 elections.