2023: Peace Accord and Violent Activists, By Reuben Abati
On September 29, the National Peace Committee led by General Abdusalami Abukakar and the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, organized an event in Abuja where candidates for the presidency of political parties for the 2023 general elections have signed an agreement to give peace a chance, avoid violence and respect the rule of law and order. It was meant to be the first in a series of peacebuilding efforts by the National Peace Committee which this year has expanded its portfolio, involving the participation of key Nigerian business figures including Alhaji Aliko Dangote and M Femi Otedola, and other leaders. such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu and Judge Roseline Ukeje. Founded in 2014, the National Peace Committee has a track record of reminding political gladiators that Nigerian elections or leadership races are not a do-or-die phenomenon, nor should they be. This is a helpful message and mission statement.
It is important, without a doubt, that the elections are peaceful and that the politicians behave decently. In retirement, General Abdusalami Abubakar devoted himself to preaching peace and stability. It provides good service in this regard. He has a good partner in Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who in every sense is also a patriot. The inclusion of others over the years is a welcome development, to remind everyone that elections should not end in chaos. The stakes in 2023 appear to be quite high, far higher than in previous elections, and these may well turn out to be for Nigerians like no other election since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
It is however regrettable and very disturbing that the politicians who signed a peace agreement in September 2022, as well as their surrogates, are reneging on the same agreement by their conduct and by their statements. Since September, when the Independent National Electoral Commission denounced the start of the campaigns, in fact before and after, cases of violence, intolerance, hate speech, foul language, vitriol, abuse, harassment and of general bad faith have been reported. Labor Party candidate Mr Peter Obi must have wondered about the attacks on his supporters in Enugu, Nasarawa, Ebonyi and Lagos states. During the first week of September, gunmen threatened supporters of Peter Obi in Enugu. The supporters were holding a meeting in the Awga community. Four unknown gunmen suddenly showed up around 5 p.m. and opened fire on Obi's supporters. They fired into the air and disrupted a meeting in progress. The day before, members of the same party had also been attacked in Nenwe, Aniniri LGA, in the same Enugu State.
About a week later Obi supporters came under attack again in Ebonyi State. This time, Nigerian police have been identified as the attackers. In a statement, the Labor Party's National Publicity Secretary accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of using the police to promote the policy of violence. To add to the evidence, in Abakaliki, Obi supporters were allegedly gassed by the police. In October, Obi supporters, known as "flag boys", were also brutalized in Lagos. The flag bearers were accused of carrying Peter Obi's flags around Oshodi in Lagos, and they were beaten by thugs working for another political party. They were actually lucky. There was an attempt to burn them alive! In Nasarawa State, Joshua Alamu who participated in a solidarity awareness campaign for Peter obi was also attacked. He ended up in the hospital. The Labor Party again issued a statement asking for protection.
But Labor is not alone. When the People's Democratic Party (PDP) held its rally in Kaduna recently, the main issue was that party supporters were attacked and injured. Thugs reportedly invaded the gathering place and started beating people. PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and former Senate Speaker Senator Bukola Saraki condemned the incident. The attackers wielded swords and machetes! Prior to this, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah representing Anambra South in the National Assembly was also ambushed and attacked at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State. He is seeking a second term. We have also heard in this pattern, reports of verbal abuse and threats from politicians. In many states of the Federation, opposition parties are not allowed to display posters or billboards and when they do, the posters are destroyed. In Lagos State, the PDP candidate had to protest that he is being targeted by the ruling APC and its henchmen. Last Saturday, the convoy of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Olajide Adediran and his deputy, Funke Akindele, was attacked in the Ikoga Junction area of the Badagry local government area in La...
On September 29, the National Peace Committee led by General Abdusalami Abukakar and the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, organized an event in Abuja where candidates for the presidency of political parties for the 2023 general elections have signed an agreement to give peace a chance, avoid violence and respect the rule of law and order. It was meant to be the first in a series of peacebuilding efforts by the National Peace Committee which this year has expanded its portfolio, involving the participation of key Nigerian business figures including Alhaji Aliko Dangote and M Femi Otedola, and other leaders. such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu and Judge Roseline Ukeje. Founded in 2014, the National Peace Committee has a track record of reminding political gladiators that Nigerian elections or leadership races are not a do-or-die phenomenon, nor should they be. This is a helpful message and mission statement.
It is important, without a doubt, that the elections are peaceful and that the politicians behave decently. In retirement, General Abdusalami Abubakar devoted himself to preaching peace and stability. It provides good service in this regard. He has a good partner in Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who in every sense is also a patriot. The inclusion of others over the years is a welcome development, to remind everyone that elections should not end in chaos. The stakes in 2023 appear to be quite high, far higher than in previous elections, and these may well turn out to be for Nigerians like no other election since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
It is however regrettable and very disturbing that the politicians who signed a peace agreement in September 2022, as well as their surrogates, are reneging on the same agreement by their conduct and by their statements. Since September, when the Independent National Electoral Commission denounced the start of the campaigns, in fact before and after, cases of violence, intolerance, hate speech, foul language, vitriol, abuse, harassment and of general bad faith have been reported. Labor Party candidate Mr Peter Obi must have wondered about the attacks on his supporters in Enugu, Nasarawa, Ebonyi and Lagos states. During the first week of September, gunmen threatened supporters of Peter Obi in Enugu. The supporters were holding a meeting in the Awga community. Four unknown gunmen suddenly showed up around 5 p.m. and opened fire on Obi's supporters. They fired into the air and disrupted a meeting in progress. The day before, members of the same party had also been attacked in Nenwe, Aniniri LGA, in the same Enugu State.
About a week later Obi supporters came under attack again in Ebonyi State. This time, Nigerian police have been identified as the attackers. In a statement, the Labor Party's National Publicity Secretary accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of using the police to promote the policy of violence. To add to the evidence, in Abakaliki, Obi supporters were allegedly gassed by the police. In October, Obi supporters, known as "flag boys", were also brutalized in Lagos. The flag bearers were accused of carrying Peter Obi's flags around Oshodi in Lagos, and they were beaten by thugs working for another political party. They were actually lucky. There was an attempt to burn them alive! In Nasarawa State, Joshua Alamu who participated in a solidarity awareness campaign for Peter obi was also attacked. He ended up in the hospital. The Labor Party again issued a statement asking for protection.
But Labor is not alone. When the People's Democratic Party (PDP) held its rally in Kaduna recently, the main issue was that party supporters were attacked and injured. Thugs reportedly invaded the gathering place and started beating people. PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and former Senate Speaker Senator Bukola Saraki condemned the incident. The attackers wielded swords and machetes! Prior to this, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah representing Anambra South in the National Assembly was also ambushed and attacked at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State. He is seeking a second term. We have also heard in this pattern, reports of verbal abuse and threats from politicians. In many states of the Federation, opposition parties are not allowed to display posters or billboards and when they do, the posters are destroyed. In Lagos State, the PDP candidate had to protest that he is being targeted by the ruling APC and its henchmen. Last Saturday, the convoy of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Olajide Adediran and his deputy, Funke Akindele, was attacked in the Ikoga Junction area of the Badagry local government area in La...
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