The Oyo State Peace Committee in collaboration with The Kukah Centre (TKC), a Nigeria-based policy research institute, has called on stakeholders in the election process to work together for peaceful general elections.
The call was made at the high-level consultations with the key stakeholders in the election process organised by the Oyo State Peace Committee on Tuesday in Ibadan.
The consultation programme supported by the United Nations (UN) was organised to deepen stakeholders' participation and amplify the voices of citizens for peaceful general elections in Oyo state.
Speaking at the occasion, the National Peace Committee Convener, Rev. Matthew Kukah, said that the meeting would bring political party candidates, traditional leaders, religious bodies and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) together for peaceful general elections.
Kukah who was represented by the Project Manager, NPC, Mr Emmanuel Nkanta, said that the identified critical stakeholders with moral and mediation authorities were expected to use their platforms to ensure that their followers abide by electoral laws during the forthcoming general elections.
He noted that the NPC has been going to different states in Nigeria, bringing political candidates together to sign peace accords thereby committing them to ensure peaceful conduct before, during and after the general elections.
Also speaking, Mr Matthias Schmale, the UN Residents and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, said that experience from past elections showed that electoral violence always undermines the inclusiveness of an election.
Schmale added that the UN understands the important leadership roles of Nigeria in the African continent and was ready to ensure that the country conducts free and fair elections.
“At the UN, we know that when Nigeria sneezes, the rest countries in Africa get cold. So, the UN has been offering technical support to INEC and also building relationships to ensure successful elections.
“Nigeria is surrounded by countries that experience military coups and we are aware of the impact of the positive election signal from Nigeria to the rest of the continent.
“Consolidation of democracy in Nigeria by yet another successful election would send a powerful signal not just to only Africa but the entire world,” he said.
Also speaking, Retired Col. Joshua Akinyemiju, Chairman of, the Oyo State Peace Committee, said that the programme was organised to sensitise critical stakeholders in the state on the importance of peace before, during and after the forthcoming general elections.
Akinyemi who is also the Chairman, of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State, called on all stakeholders to maintain the reputation of the state as a peaceful and pacesetter state.
“We want this message of peace to get to the grassroots through the participants of this programme.
“Our message is that no one should allow his children or followers to be used to cause violence during elections,” he said.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, warned that the law of the land would not be on suspension during the elections.
He noted that any citizens found causing problems during the election would be adequately prosecuted.
Williams who was represented by Dr Taiwo Kasumu, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in the state, said that Nigeria has left the stage at which people escape the punishment for the offences they committed during the election due to evolving technology in the election process.
In the same vein, Mr Kayode Odedokun, the State Director of, the National Orientation Agency, urged the stakeholders to avoid hate speeches and vote buying.
Odedokun stressed that citizens should be allowed to vote according to their conscience.
The Chairman, of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Oyo State chapter, Comrade AbdulQuadry Abdulsalam, maintained that youths should be encouraged to participate actively in the election process.
Abdulsalam called on traditional and religious leaders to always hold political office seekers coming to them for blessings accountable.
The programme featured panel sessions and presentations from traditional leaders, CSO, religious bodies, international partners and other critical stakeholders in the election process.
