A former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, has called on Nigerians to reject the evil ideology of the Boko Haram sect.
He spoke in Abuja at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room’s Roundtable on the Role of Civil Society in ensuring Electoral Integrity organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC).
He said: “We must reject their evil ideology. We are in the same boat. Boko Haram’s vicious and brutal tactics have no place in the civilised world.
“No cause, I repeat, no cause, can justify such brutality, murder, kidnapping of innocent children, women and men.”
He also called on politicians and their supporters to be careful with their language in order not to incite people to violence.
While calling on Nigerians to consolidate on the gains made in the past, he said: “But we know that every election since 1999 has been fraught, and marred by violence. Many people I have spoken to worry that violence might once again disfigure and undermine the electoral process.
“So I entreat all Nigerians, and especially the political actors, not to put the amazing progress Nigeria has made in jeopardy. Politics should be about serving the higher interests of the country and not self-serving.
“As the late President JF Kennedy said:‘…Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.’
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“Nigeria has the largest black population of any country on the continent and has the biggest economy. It plays a major role on the international stage, especially at this time, when it holds a seat at the Security Council. Nigeria is one of the largest contributors of UN peacekeepers.”
He advised member of the civil society to urge Nigerians not to resort to violence because their candidate of choice did not win.
Annan told Nigerians to remember that their destiny was a common one, adding that “whether you are Muslim or Christian, northerner or southerner, or for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the All Progressives Congress (APC) you are one.”
He noted that Nigerians should be proud that their country is big.
According to him, “The size of Nigeria is a major source of your wealth and power. But the price of that size is diversity, which should be accepted, valued and even celebrated.”
Annan said the world expected Nigeria to get it right saying: ”I shall conclude by observing that in many ways, Nigeria has the future of the continent in its hands.
“What happens in Nigeria has an impact far beyond its borders. Nigeria’s success in the forthcoming election will be Africa’s success.”
He commended members of the civil society for their initiative, adding that a strong democracy needs a vibrant and engaged civil society, capable of expressing popular concerns in a responsible and constructive manner.
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Also speaking, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, expressed concern on the role religious leaders have been playing in politics.
He said Nigerians have to agree on the relationship between religions and politics.
The cleric noted that due to the fact that the role of religion in politics had not been stated it had resulted in concussion with some religious leaders predicting who would win the elections.
The Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said Nigerians were worried over possible outbreak of violence during and after the elections.
He said Nigeria could not afford to fail the world and must conduct a credible election, adding that Nigerians were disappointed with the levels of corruption and lack of accountability.
Nwankwo said: “The management of the economy has been poor across the board. All the parties are as guilty as the other.
“Corruption is very high across board. Not limited to the central government.
“Nigerians are dissatisfied with the way our resources are being managed. Dividends of democracy had been filtered away.”
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Also speaking, the Chairman, Contemporary National and International Issues of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Henry Ewunonu, said the two political parties on the front line were not campaigning on issues.
He said: “None of the political parties had told us how it planned to reduce malaria and other diseases in the country.
“Politicians are disrupting the health system. Campaigns are not issues-based. Our health system remains fragile. We should not allow it to fail,” Ewunonu said. (Thisday)
