Politics

2019: Religious Leaders On Ensuring A Non-violence General Elections In Nigeria

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Ahead of the 2019 General Elections, about 120 Religious Leaders across the country under the platform, INTERFAITH CITIZEN OBSERVERS NETWORK, have met on Thursday, 24th of January, 2019 at the LCCI International Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria to discuss ways to ensure the elections are as peaceful, free and fair as possible. The meeting had top religious leaders across Nigeria in attendance and was anchored by broadcast journalist, Sulaiman Aledeh.

 

Religious Leaders present at the group chat were; Imam SHEFIU, Abdulkareem Majemu (Convener), Bishop Emma Gospel Isong (Co-convener), HRH Sarkin Muhammad Bambado (Sarkin Fulani of Lagos State), Imam Abdulazeez Onike, Apostle Ojei Uloma,, Bishop Matthew Daniels, Sheikh Abdurahman Ahmad, Imam Faud Adeyemi, Bishop Asekoya Wale, Ojo Owolabi, Pastor Gabriel Oshoma, Sheikh Abdurahman Sulaiman Adangba, amongst others.

 

A. INTER-RELIGIOUS/INTERDENOMINATIONAL WEEKEND OF PRAYER

Some of the resolution made at the meeting bordered around praying for peaceful elections in the country. It was decided that national weekend of prayers will be held one week before the election with Muslims to pray on Friday, February 8thwhile Sunday, February 10th was set for Christian prayers.

 

The date for an awareness rally, to call for a Non-violence 2019 election has also been set, with February 9th unanimously chosen by religious stakeholders at the meeting.

 

This programme and set dates will be on the various social media outlets to keep the public informed and for dissemination to various communities.

 

B. HATE SPEECH AND INCITEMENT TO VIOLENCE TOWARDS 2019 ELECTION

The religious leaders also had a discussion on hate speech and ways to scuttle the continuous existence of what has come to be one of the biggest ills of the modern Nigerian society, especially in an election season when tensions are palpable and moods are on the edge. Some resolutions were reached and plans were initiated to prevent the presence of hate speech. Some of the decisions reached on reducing hate speech are;

 

1. Having a reverse burden and verification of proof(s) on anybody who make hate speech, resentment and vote buying.

 

2. Educating the people to understand the aftermath of hate speech. Also educating about its destructive effect.

 

3. Religious leaders should communicate to their audience to desist from the act of hate speech and other conducts that could lead to violence during and after the elections.

 

4. All non religious organisations should also be educated on the effect of hate speech in order to desist from the act.

 

C. VOTE BUYING

Vote buying has also been listed as a problem in the Nigerian society. This has ensured Nigerians have not enjoyed the governance that they deserve, hence the need to educate people on the wanton negative effects of vote buying. To beat this endemic, religious leaders have agreed that;

1. Our people should be educated about the adverse effect of vote buying. We sell our future by doing that

2. There must be penalty for such act (both the seller and buyer). The punishment must be enforced as well.

3. No bringing of funds and devices to the election ground. This is to natural starve the act of selling and buying vote at the election ground.

Detribalisation and religious sentiments should be discouraged, also the use of hard drugs should be discouraged.

The issue of spiritual leaders and vested interests in political parties was roundly discussed. Some of the deductions made from the social media bother around the speech of some spiritual leaders , which only help lift sentiments, further creating divisiveness and disunity amongst members of the public.

It has been advised that spiritual leaders should not show interest to any political party, and should overcome the temptation of money.

It was also agreed that spiritual leaders should be sacrificial in making the elections peaceful.

 

SUMMARY

DIVINE INTERVENTION

* Muslims Prayer for the nation will be held on 8th, February, 2019 (Friday) during (Jumah Prayer)

* Christian prayer 10th February, 2019 (Sunday)

* Joint Rally of Christians and Muslims on 9th Feb, 2019 (Saturday)

1. Spiritual Leaders have been advised not to use their position to promote any candidate or party.

2. Spiritual Leaders have been advised not to use their position to aid hate speech, thereby encouraging violence.

3. Spiritual Leaders have been advised to use their platform to educate their congregation about the adverse effect of vote buying and hate speech. By doing so, we are selling our future.

4. It was agreed that tribalism and religious sentiments should be discouraged and avoided.

5. INEC should and MUST ensure that we have credible election

6. All electoral laws should be enforced, especially the punishable laws, for the purpose of orderliness, discipline and respect during the election.

The One-Day Conference was organized by the STRENGTH IN DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT CENT.

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