Stakeholders from different walks of life have expressed optimism of credible, free, fair and violence-free election across Nigeria in 2023.
Speakers from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations, security agencies, academia and the media spoke at a two day ‘Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on Peaceful 2023 Election and Political Transition in Nigeria held between Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 October organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) in Abuja.
Various speakers outlined areas of concerns for a violence free poll to include hate speeches, misinformation and disinformation and personality’s attacks.
They called for restraint and unbiased reportage by the media, noting that the role of the press is crucial in the coming transition of power to a new government.
In his welcome address, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Stability of ECOWAS, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah charged political parties and their candidates to resist the temptations of drawing on ethno-religious sentiments and identities that could exacerbate Nigeria’s fault lines.
He said the forthcoming elections represent another opportunity for Nigeria to consolidate its democratic successes noting that the ECOWAS secretariat will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure a credible electoral process in Nigeria.
Executive Director, WANEP, Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze, noted that contemporary challenges to elections and democratic governance escalated by election disputes continues to threatens the foundation of the Nigeria’s democracies the country’s collective efforts for its stability.
He said “we have been able to interrogate some of the concerns and fears of the Nigerian citizens ahead of the coming elections. Some of the perceptions have also been clarified by key stakeholders from the security agencies, the academia, the CSOs, intergovernmental agencies and the international partners.”
