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, Oshita Oshita, made the appeal in his remarks at the Dialogue yesterday 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.”
”This dialogue, therefore, should be an opportunity for stakeholders to commit to upholding the principles of democratic practice. ”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.” 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, Nathan Inyom, regretted that the 2011 post- election violence had been a source of concern nationally and internationally.
