MAKURDI – The Stakeholders Dialogue for North-East/North-Central, organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolutions (IPCR) has appealed to Nigerians to prevent a repeat of the 2011 post-election violence.
The Director-General of IPCR, Prof. Oshita Oshita, made the appeal in his remarks at the Dialogue on Wednesday in Makurdi.
He said “every Nigeria has a role to play in ensuring non-violence polls.’’
He regretted that more than 800 Nigerians, including 11 NYSC members lost their lives to the 2011 post-election violence, adding that the dialogue was to restrategise to prevent a recurrence in 2015.
He said “as the elections draw nearer, palpable fears about violence already exist, which may compromise the possibility of free, fair and credible elections.
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“This dialogue, therefore, should be an opportunity for stakeholders to commit to upholding the principles of democratic practice.
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“It is imperative for us all, as stakeholders, to prevent violent conflicts before, during and after the conduct of the 2015 general elections.
“It is also to sensitise and increase public knowledge and awareness on the dangers of election violence.’’
Alhaji Umaru Kurama, the District Head of Dukku in Gombe State, said the traditional institution had no choice of candidate as it would always support every government in power.
In his remarks, the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Makurdi, Bishop Nathan Inyom, regretted that the 2011 post-election violence had been a source of concern nationally and internationally.
Inyom, however, warned Nigerians to be wary of politicians who may want to use youths
to cause problems during the elections, stressing that “we must always remember that such politicians will never use their children for such acts.
“Nigerians must realise that politicians only use us to kill ourselves for them to gain power while their families are abroad enjoying themselves.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was organised by IPCR in conjunction with the Democratic Governance for Development project of the UN Development Programme.
It was attended by representatives of political parties, road transport unions, women and youth groups, traditional and religious leaders, media and Civil Society Organisations from the Northern States. (NAN)
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