NOA commends Nigerians for shunning post-elections violence

By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Director-General, NOA, Mr Garba Abari, lauded the citizens at a news conference to promote National Cohesion and Peace, with the theme: “Nigeria First’’, held in Lagos.

Abari said that the culture of post-elections violence in Nigeria had begun to fade away.

“One of the challenges of our country is in managing the diversity of a big nation like ours.

“That challenge becomes even more burdensome during the national election, as we had recently.

“In fact, before the elections, going by the tone of political engagements, you would think that the nation was on its brink.

“Some naysayers have gone to the extent of describing the election as a make or mar event of our country.

“More than one month after the elections, we have remained resolute on the path of peace and stability,” he said.

According to him, the 2023 elections will be recorded as one of the least violent elections in Nigeria.

Abari said that this was not because people were not provoked enough but the citizens appeared to have received well the gospel of non-violence, as one of our nation’s social creed.

He regretted that Lagos, which had over this period managed its vast diversities with admiration and courage, unfortunately became a flash point of violence during the last election.

“Lagos is an important and strategic state in Nigeria. It remains the commercial capital, media hub, the melting point of culture and tradition and one of the most advanced political environments in the country.

“The city state has developed a vast capacity to absorb the unending stream of visitors for many years.

“Allegations and counter allegations are being hauled all over the place. That is not the Lagos we all admired,” he added.

The NOA boss urged the media to refrain from giving vent to the caustic, insultive narratives that characterised the campaigns, as a new administration sets to assume office at the centre.

He warned that the politicians who wanted to lead us at various levels now and in the future must not open doors for people with ulterior motives to take advantage and wreak havoc on our country by promoting violence.

Abari said: “It is not unusual that some will feel dissatisfied after any election. This is so because, in the case of electoral contest for the position of President, only one candidate can win at a time.

“Our current situation, where more than one political party is claiming victory holds ominous signs for the polity, if not delicately managed.

“This is a period for building bridges of understanding across the divide. We must all come to the realisation that we need a peaceful, stable country to be able to practice our various vocations.’’

According to him, one of the best places to rebuild the fabric of social cohesion is to encourage community leaders, government and the media to promote tolerance, unity of purpose, non-violence, peace and stability.

Abari said, “It is at times like this that patriots, elder statesmen and women, men and women of conscience who put country over self, must rise up to be counted.’’

He noted that we must all be sensitive and circumspect in the things that we say, write or show on our screens.

“I call on the major stakeholders in the political events that are unfolding, to rein-in their key supporters.

“Let our conversation be temperate, conflict sensitive and moderate, so that followers of various political parties are not incited to violence.

“Democracy is about the contest of ideas and was never meant to produce violent outcomes.

“Let us all work toward the peace that is so desirable for us and generations yet unborn,” the director-general said.

(NAN)