2023: ECOWAS charges Nigerian political actors on peaceful elections

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, has charged politicians in Nigeria to ensure peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

ECOWAS urged political actors to shun statements that will incite ethnic or religious crises in the country before, during and after the general elections next year.

• Adamawa Police arrest 39 suspects for murder, kidnapping, other crimes
• Not only national grid, everything collapsing in Nigeria — NIEEE

Dr Abdel Musa Fatau, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), at the ECOWAS Commission, gave this charge during the opening ceremony of a two-day stakeholders consultative meeting on the peaceful 2023 presidential election and political transition in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

While highlighting the strategic position Nigeria holds in the sub-region, he said the 2023 election provided an opportunity for the country to solidify its democracy.

Represented by Dr Aderemi Ajibewa, who is a Director, Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) in the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Fatau urged politicians to “duel on issues and shun hate speech.”

He also charged them not to make utterances that will lead to ethnic or religious crises in the country.

Dr Fatau who noted that poorly managed elections in some countries in the sub-region had led to post-election violence, also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure an election that is peaceful, free, fair and acceptable to the international community.

While applauding the initiative of the National Peace Committee to develop the peace accord, he appealed to candidates to live up to the agreements they appended to.

Dr Chukwuemeka Eze, the Executive Director, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, WANEP, in his welcome address, expressed worries that Nigeria which is expected to lead the continent into electoral decorum and civility, is continually experiencing high levels of suspicion and lack of confidence in key state institutions that superintend electoral process.

He also accused politicians of pursuing their agenda along ethnic and religious lines than along ideological lines, adding that they pose a threat to peaceful elections.

The meeting among other objectives is also to elicit the commitment of political parties and actors, security agents, INEC and CSOs towards a peaceful election.