From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The United Nations (UN) has said it is watching Nigeria so carefully as the country conducts crucial general elections this year, to elect new president, national assembly members, governors and house of assembly members.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, made this known in an interview with journalists, in Ibadan, on Tuesday, on the sidelines of a high-level consultation with key stakeholders ahead of the general elections, organised by the Independent State Based Peace Committee, Oyo State chapter, with the support of National Peace Committee (NPC), The Kukah Centre, and the UN, held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan.
The programme was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders and other critical stakeholders from different parts of the state.
According to him, “It is often said if Nigeria sneezes, the rest of the continent get cold. We are very aware of the importance ofba positive election signals, going from Nigeria to the rest of the continent, and the world.
“Nigeria is surrounded by countries that have seen military coups. So, consolidation of democracy in Nigeria by yet another, is not the first one,” adding that the UN had in the past supported Nigeria to have a successful elections. He stated further that other successful elections in the country, “sent powerful signals, not just to Africa, but to the world. This is why we in the UN, are watching so carefully.”
Schmale also said the UN has been providing technical supports to Nigeria, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to ensure that progress is made in how to manage elections. He assured that when the UN sees some levels of progress being made, it would continue to work with INEC and other critical stakeholders to improve the process.”
The Project Manager, National Peace Committee, Emmanuel Nkanta, described the event as timely, especially at a critical moment like this in the history of Nigeria, saying: “It is a high-level consultation. In attendance, we had traditional rulers, religious leaders, political parties, civil society organisatios (CSOs), youth, and women. He stated that “the idea is to continue to build up conversations around peaceful processes.”
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, who doubles as the chairman of Independent State Based Peace Committee in the state, noted that the threats to the conduct of 2015 general elections, made a former military head of state, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) and Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Church, to come together to establish the National Peace Committee in 2014, which played a pivotal role in the peace that greeted the 2015 general elections.
The Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Kunle Danni, who was represented by Dr. Akeem Raji, urged all and sundry “to shun violence. We are appealing to eligible voters to come out in their large numbers and vote. Also, we are appealing to religious leaders to be more steadfast in their prayers for Nigeria. We should know that it is only God that can enthrone. The young ones should steer clear of hooliganism and thuggery.”