Following the increasing rate of political tension and violence in some parts of Nigeria, ahead the forthcoming general polls and what the consequences would be if not discouraged, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has organised non- violence awareness and sensitivity workshop in all the states of the federation aimed at sensitising and educating the people, mostly youths, on the dangers of violence during elections.
Speaking to stakeholders which include youth organisations, NGOs, the police, Civil Defence Corps and many other groups in a one day workshop, James Eze, zonal coordinator NEMA, South East Zone, called on political actors in Enugu State and other South East states, to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship while canvassing for votes via persuasion, and not through harassment or intimidation of people.
The zonal coordinator condemned the current system of character assassinations, defamations, disparaging utterances, provocative statements and uncouth language targeted against opponents exhibited by political parties in Nigeria.
He stressed the need for politicians to always put interest of the nation above personal interest, saying, “We do not demonstrate democracy when voters are intimidated, wounded or killed and property destroyed.” “The political class has the highest stake in the polity, therefore it is highly incomprehensible why they should instigate violence and disorder during elections when they should be concerned on maintenance of political stability,” Eze said.
He regretted that electoral violence creates fear, voter apathy, disorder, displacement and the destruction of the means of livelihood. “This stretches to the very limit of human and mental resources of NEMA”, he said. According to him, “all stakeholders must join hands in avoiding things that could lead to violence during the general election.” In his contribution, Josephat Ofor, executive secretary Enugu State Emergency Management Agency, said: “Political violence, just like any other disaster can within a twinkle of an eye disrupt the glory the nation has acquired,” advising Nigerians to play by the rules during the voting process. Isaac Onukwube, Enugu State director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), commended NEMA for organising the workshop this time around.
