The Nigeria Interreligious Council
on Tuesday dismissed fears by some citizens and other western nations that the 2023 elections might make or mar the country.
Rather, NIREC, under the joint-leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, expressed optimism that with the collective action of critical stakeholders and the people, a national rebirth for Nigeria could happen after the 2023 election.
The NIREC co-chairmen dismissed the fears during its fourth quarterly meeting in Abuja with the theme, ‘Peaceful and credible elections for national renaissance’.
At the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, assured that the forthcoming elections would be conducted in a peaceful and credible manner.
The PUNCH reported that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had said the 2023 elections may make or mar Nigeria when the CAN president paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
According to him, if clerics allowed the political class to wreck Nigeria, everyone would regret it.
Also, the Embassy of the United States and other European countries, including United Kingdom, had warned that there was an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
But Sultan Abubakar in his address at the 4th quarterly meeting of NIREC, dismissed fears of a brewing storm over the forthcoming polls, saying such negative testimonies were coming from those he described as ‘enemies’ of the country.
He said, “A lot of people made comments about the 2023 elections as a make or break election for Nigeria. And I don’t believe in that. I totally refuse to believe in that. The forthcoming polls are just an election in which people will go out, cast their votes in peace. And then whoever emerges as the winner as the Almighty Allah decided, will be the leader of this country and the states where we all come from. I don’t believe it’s a make or break election.
“We should not and must not play to the hands of those enemies of Nigeria who keep on parading or bringing up such issues. I guess this is the election that will decide the fate of this country, and only Allah decides the fate of this country and any other country. Let us not play into their hands. Let us go out campaigning peacefully. And whenever the elections come up, we will elect who we think is best for us and we leave the rest to Almighty Allah.
“Those countries that keep on saying these things, have their own very serious problems, but their systems work to some extent. So, if our systems work, we will be better off. I affirm my belief that Nigeria is much better than so many of these countries. The 2023 elections are just another exercise in which people will go out and vote for whom they want and at the end of it, INEC will announce who the winner is.”
The CAN president said that the ugly history of pre-or post-electoral violence would not be repeated in 2023, if all critical stakeholders decide to halt the trend through strategic conversation that appeals to the conscience of the political class.
According to him, unbridled ambition and cutthroat competition among Nigerian politicians is a major part of the problem.
Okoh said, “Even people with no coherent political ideology and development agenda of any kind also engage in do-or die politics. The other issue is the lack of transparency in the electoral process, and the ungodly alliance of some security agents with the political class to subvert the process and confer undue advantage on one political party against the others.
“All these make the process tense, frightening and disenfranchising the weak and feeble minded. There is no doubt in my mind that the 2023 general elections hold the key to our national renaissance, freedom from insecurity, economic subjugation and all other social vices that have dotted our ugly past.”
The cleric, however, said for this happen and usher in the expected freshness in the polity, the new set of leaders that would emerge post 2023 general elections and all of Nigerians must collectively resolve to deal with the culture of impunity that places the political class above the law and deprives the ordinary citizens of their legitimate rights.
Other issues the CAN president identified as requiring attention included hate campaign speeches by politicians that paint the opposition in a derogatory and defamatory language in a bid to make themselves unacceptable to the voting public, election rigging, and youth unemployment that rendered millions of able-bodied youths economically inactive and vulnerable to abuse by unscrupulous politicians as well as unguarded speeches by religious and community leaders that will not give a level playing ground to candidates vying for elective positions.
Mustapha said the 2023 general elections should not be seen as a do or die affair but rather a peaceful one in order to reflect the rebirth of the nation.
He said, “In order to ensure there are peaceful and credible elections for National Renaissance, the election must be transparent, inclusive, and accountable, and there must be equitable opportunities to compete in the election.
“At this critical period of active political activities, the leadership of NIREC are expected to be apolitical in any of their dealings and should be father for all regardless. More also, the Council’s leadership should ensure that they sue for peace among their followers by ensuring their sermons in all worship centres are tailored towards peace in pre, during and post election period.
“The conduct of peaceful and credible elections come 2023 is very important because it will ensure National Renaissance. Also, if there is peace in the country every aspect of the Nation is sure of witnessing a rebirth which life brings about development. The National Renaissance that is required today should go beyond politics.
“I, therefore, wish to reiterate that Mr. President has provided every necessary requirement for the Independent National Electoral Commission in order to ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful and credible manner. It is therefore the time for the religious leaders to take this campaign to the different wards and communities of this country and other spheres of influence by urging eligible Nigerians to conduct themselves peacefully during and after general elections.”
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