From John Adams, Minna
The National Peace Committee on Thursday met in Minna, the Niger state capital and expressed deep concern over the worsening economic situation in the country of the 2023 general elections, saying that the situation has made Vote buying and vote selling easy, especially as witnessed in Osun and Ekiti states.
The National Peace Committee equally described as worrisome, the pattern of communication among political actors, their publicity agents, spokespersons, and media consultants which has amplified the potential for personal attacks, insult, and incitement, and therefore has relegated to the background, “the civility and decency in public discourse and debate”..
In a communique at the end of its one day meeting held at the residence of the former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar who is the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and jointly signed by himself and the Convener, Most Reverend, Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Committee said the development has shifted focus from issue-based Campaigns to consolidating politics and politics of thuggery.
According to the committee, with less than ten days to the commencement of Campaign for the 2023 general elections slated for February, “there is the need to promote the culture of healthy issue-based Campaigns and political communication”.
In view of this, the National Peace Committee has organized the signing of two peace accords ahead of the 2023 general elections, stressing that “the first peace accord will hold on Thursday, 29th September, 2022 at the International Conference Center in Abuja to commit all political parties , Presidential Candidates and their spokespersons to peaceful campaign and rallies, devoid of violence, incitement and personal insults but defined by issue at every heart of national development and progress”
The second peace accord, the committee pointed out, will come up shortly before the elections, “and it is intended to commit candidates to accepting the out come of the votes as long as it is adjourned to be free, fair and credible”.
While appealing to political actors, especially their publicity agents and media advisers to shun personal attacks, avoid insults and incitement, the committee reminded all Nigerians that the 2023 general elections is more than an election, adding that “it is an opportunity to serve Nigeria, to defend Nigeria and to uphold her unity and progress”.
The highlight of the National Peace Committee meeting was the briefing from the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu that the commission is fully ready for the 2023 general elections.
All the members of the National Peace Committee were in attendant at the meeting which also admitted some new members.