Two global bodies, the United Nations, UN, and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, have warned against election violence in the February general election, saying that no country can absorb huge refugees from Nigeria.
The warning came amidst fears among Nigerians and other development partners that violence could break out if care is not taken. Skirmishes have a lady been among supporters of top political parties in some states across the country.
Daily Trust reports that the warning was issued in Jos, Plateau State Capital, by the two bodies during a mediation training and interactive engagement with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and other stakeholders.
According to the report, the stakeholders were drawn from the North-Central and the North-East, on non-violence 2023 elections.
Speaking at the session with IPAC, the United Nations Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS), represented by Sa’adatu Sha’abu cautioned that should anything go wrong the unimaginable consequences would be grave, and therefore, everybody should play by the rules.
According to him, “If things go wrong in Nigeria, there’ll be negative consequences for the peace and stability of the entire region.”
On his part, ECOWAS Programme Officer, Mediation, Brown Odigie advised all stakeholders on the peaceful conduct of the 2023 elections.
Odigie, represented by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abel Fatau, appealed to candidates and their parties to uphold the signed peace accord and the electoral guidelines.
“This is a mediation often done in countries across the ECOWAS region. We’re doing it for Nigeria because it’s a strategic member of ECOWAS.
“Nigeria has a huge population. The election can generate conflict if not effectively managed. And when violence occurs, with the enormous population of Nigeria, it can split to other neighbouring countries. I can assure you that no member within the zone of ECOWAS has the capacity to accommodate refugees from Nigeria.”
Responding, IPAC National Secretary, Yusuf Dantalle, lamented that election violence stems from desperate politicians because of huge election spending.
The country has faced post election violence in the past. Following the 2011 presidential election, some Nigerians were killed in the North by those believed to be supporters of Muhammadu Buhari, then, presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressives Change, CPC, who had refused to accept the outcome of the election won by then President Goodluck Jonathan.
Critics of Buhari had blamed his comment that “barboon will soak in blood” if he lost the election, for the bloodshed.
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