Peace, Information and Election — Our Security, Our Peace by Prof. O.E Bassey 

There are barely four weeks left to the start of the general elections in the country, and if history is anything to go by, this is the period where a deluge of propagandas, misinformation and disinformation would begin to fly around as the parties swivel closer to the edge of their seat in finding out what their fate would be in the all-decider polls.

The electioneering proper started in September 2022, and for five months, the public space has played hosts to visits, talks and promises from the gladiators vying for electoral offices.

Without attempting to downplay whatever last-minute cards they might have up their sleeves, it is important to note that every significant information you might need from them in respect to informing your choices have already been put out there. Chances are few and far between that in their remaining campaign activities, they will tell you anything that you have not heard before. Instead, what you are bound to get are deft and slick politicking from the various parties as they try to outdo one another, especially having entered a vulnerable period in the electoral race.

Vulnerable because a chunk of their campaign funds have been expended, and for those parties who never planned to the end or misappropriated their funds indiscriminately, they get to have a lot of traitors coming out of their camps and spewing different colours of lies because their interests cease to be served. It is the nervy moment where loyalty on various fronts would have to be sealed in order to ensure nothing goes wrong at the end of the day, not to forget the warchest contest on who pays ‘best’ the piper, unfortunately, dictating the tune. It is a peculiar period where desperation sets in and oversights seeps in with the perspicuous and proactive parties taking advantage of this to get ahead in the game.

But not to worry, having insights on how this period works is the key to not being hoodwinked by the ‘desperate’ and ‘wild’ politics that will be on the let during this period. They — the politicians — would have their field day trying to wield their last cards to spoon themselves victory at the polls; this is where Nigerians need to be unswerving and unperturbed by their trickeries to outsmart one another and set off a false alarm to get you to changing your mind as to whom to vote for.

Once again, be prepared for a lot of propagandas during this period. Defections, inaccurate statistics, fake news are bound to be in the viral this period, with some Nigerians to be used as a tool for such. In order not to fall victims to this hackneyed brand of last-minute politicking, the key is to staying grounded on whom you are voting for based on Character, Competence and Capacity as the last five months and the past have unfolded to you.

It’s game time, whether you like it or not; and the umpire, unarguably, remains you and I. The politicians are aware of this, and they well know it is your time. They know you have your choice made already, but would attempt to make you doubt it with all manners of wrong information to be spread to you and through you. We don’t have to be a prey to this, again. This is the time to get resolute with your choice come what may. This is the time to ‘third-guess’ every information you come across. This is the time not to share any information until it is confirmed to be true. The tension at this point is high at the camps of these politicians, and they will try to pass that same atmosphere to everyone, such that you are always quick to believe and share what you see which in turn starts to change perception and have the scales tipped in their favour.

To ensure that we are electing a government of peace in a peaceful atmosphere, it is germane we pay keen attention to the information we get these days. If there has ever been a time the politicians would use information most deliberately, it is now, and as citizens who are out for peace, the goal is to double check whatever information is put out there, before believing and sharing. That way, we’ll live in peace and we’ll vote in a peace-government.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Professor Ofonime Emmanuel Bassey is a Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution coach with decades of experience in the practice and promotion of Law Enforcement, Peace and Security through the Nigeria Police and the United Nations.

He is a professor in Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution, a certified United Nation’s Trainer, and currently the Director of ICOF Institute of Leadership, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa.

Prof. Bassey has served and interacted at the top-level management of the Nigeria Police as well as internationally as a United Nation’s Monitor/Mentor in Kosovo, Europe.

With his marks well-established in Peace Leadership both in Nigeria and Africa, he is currently the President, NISSI Safety Management Institute: An Institute of Peace Leadership.

To his many humanitarian acts, he currently spearheads a campaign tagged “The Next Peace Leaders” billed to run from 2022-2023 with a target of training 37,000 young peace leaders.

For peace and security tips, consultations and trainings, reach him via:

Facebook: Dr. O.E Bassey

LinkedIn: Dr. O.E Bassey

Twitter: Dr. O.E Bassey

WhatsApp: +2347065828892

Mail: EmmanuelBassey@gmail.com