The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in West Africa and the Sahel, Mohammed Ibn Chambers, hasurged all stakeholders in the Nigerian elections to contribute to peaceful elections within their respective areas of influence by ensuring that campaigns remain issue-based devoid of incitement through hate speech as well as preaching peace and tolerance.
The stakeholders, according to Chambas, included political parties, candidates, CSOs religious and transitional rulers , the INEC and security services.
Chambas also said at the end of the elections, those who won should be magnanimous in victory while those who lost should accept defeat, urging the actors to refrain from incitement to violence
Chambas made the remark in Abuja on Thursday at the 43rd Murtala Muhammed lecture.
According to UN envoy, the occasion has not only honoured late Mohammed who he described as “visionary and charismatic leader but also provided an opportunity to enhance democratic consolidation in Nigeria through the organisation of free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible elections.
He commended the second signing of national peace accord on Wednesday by the presidential candidates
He said the UN in concert with ECOWAS and other partners supported the national peace conference for more peaceful election in Nigeria including serious of high level dialogue events to support effort at organising free fair and credible elections.
He said that while interfacing with the political actors, he had underscored the need to facilitate the participation of women and the youth not just as voters but also as candidates.
“We must collectively work to increase the representation of women and youth in politics during and be young these elections.”
