Upholding the rule of law in electoral processes guarantee peaceful coexistence, says Partners for Peace
By Isaac Eranga
Benin City: The Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta (P4P), has called on electoral stakeholders, including voters, to embrace peace and adhere to the principle of rule of law in order to avert electoral violence capable of undermining the peaceful coexistence of the people.
This call was made at a press briefing organized recently in Benin City by the P4P network. Speaking, the National Coordinator of P4P - Chief Pius Akomolafe said P4P through her peace actors in the nine States of the Niger Delta have watched the conflict trend before, during and after the Presidential and National Assemblies elections which took place on the 25th of February, 2023, which is the seventh successive general elections since the return to multyparty democracy in 1999.
Chief Akomolafe who was represented by the National Research and Documentation Officer of P4P - Barr. Agatha Osieke, and joined by the Edo State Coordinator of P4P- Engr. Eugene J. Okoeguale, and the immediate past Central Working Committed member representing Edo State in the network- Comr. Kingsley Kefe, said it was quite disturbing that despite the signing of the peace accords by candidates of the political parties competing in the elections, wherein they committed the support that will ensure a peaceful transition, pre-election violence did continue to bedevil the country. He added that among other conflicts were the attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices which could undermine the electoral processes. He also said report had it that in some States of the country like Kano, Enugu amd Ebonyi where electoral violence was at the extreme, 15 lives were lost amongst other forms of violence that took place.
"It is important to note here that according to the available document by INEC, there are 93.4 million registered voters and 9.5 million voters were registered ahead of the 2023 elections of which two-third were young persons and 47.5% women. This marked 11.3% increase from the voters' record of 2019.
"More so, other provisions by INEC included the training of technical personnel and the provision of logistics to ensure smooth outcome of the electoral processes. Despite all the preparations by the electoral umpire, citizens still feel dissatisfied with the conduct of the elections which occasioned the pockets of protests as witnessed in some parts of the country including the Niger Delta.
"The Central Working Committee of the P4P is using this platform to call on all stakeholders to intervene proactively to calm the already heated polity to avoid further form of violence especially as March 18th, 2023 day for governorship and states Houses of Assembly elections.
"However, P4P advocates that to strengthen the electoral process, the federal government should uphold and embrace peace and the rule of law throughout the process, that is, pre, during, and post elections and implement the 35% affirmative action in the electoral system for women and also enshrine 20% for persons living with disabilities. Such will allow for inclusive approach to the democratic system.
"The INEC should review and strengthen their logistics operational strategy to ensure that the ad-hoc officials are adequately trained for mastering the electronic voting machines and its optimal effectiveness throughout the voting period.
"Felt deployment of electoral materials to designated polling units is another key to effective elections and the designated time of 8:30am to 2:30pm should be reviewed. It will encourage greater participation and address the issue of disenfranchisement. The number of the BVAS machines should be regulated at each polling unit should match the number of voters. This will go a long way to teduce all forms of suspicion amongst all the electoral stakeholders including voters, he said".
The Partners for Peace also called on all well-meaning Nigerians to embrace peace at all times, saying there is no where violence has done any nation good.
"Citizens, contestants and their supporters should be able to control their emotions and use peaceful ways to drive home their grievances without resorting to killings, maiming or destroy in of properties. These acts can take a nation or state 20 times backward and that is why we say PEACE --- YES", said Chief Akomolafe.
Partners for Peace in the Niger Delta which was launched in August 2013 in Port Harcourt, is a network dedicated to promoting peace in the Niger Delta. It is a platform where people with different backgrounds and perspectives can come together, not to point fingers or take sides, but to understand and address the root cause of conflict and build peace. P4P is an inclusive network that emcourages value.
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