Election should not be a trigger of conflicts, says NOA
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has said that electoral participation in Nigeria should be a means of promoting national peace, and not a trigger for conflicts.
The State Director, NOA in Kwara, Mr Abdulganiy Dare, stated this on Thursday in Ilorin during a sensitisation workshop with concerned stakeholders on ”Election without bitterness”.
Dare said “as we anticipate the 2027 General Elections, it is imperative that we begin to lay the groundwork for peace now.
The NOA director said the gathering of stakeholders was to make commitment and take a proactive stand toward having a rancour free election in Kwara.
“The moment we allow bitterness to take roots in our political engagements, we lose the moral high ground to call ourselves a civilized society.
”A responsible state is built when political actors stop seeing opponents as enemy, but as partners in the quest for a better world.
”In the past, elections have sometimes been viewed as a do or die affair, creating deep seated divisions within our communities.
”However, we must realize that a peaceful election is not a miracle.
“It is a choice made by the political office seekers who choose this world over weapon and by the voters who chooses peace over provocation.
”We must embrace tolerance and moral high ground, because the strength of our democracy is found in our diversity of opinion, not in our ability to silence those who disagree with us,” he said.
According to him, the agency is committed to engaging every corner of the state through town hall meetings, media advocacy, and grassroots dialogue to ensure that every citizen understand their role in maintaining order.
Also, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kwara, Dr Gabriel Longpet said that the communities are in need of growth, jobs, infrastructure, and hope and not endless quarrels.
Longpet said when bitterness is allowed to dominate the political space, ordinary people become the greatest victims.
”In every society, politics is meant to serve as a tool for progress, unity, and the advancement of common good.
”However, experience has shown that when politics is driven by bitterness, grudges, and unhealthy rivalry, it loses its true purpose and becomes a stumbling block to development.
”My conviction is that leadership should be about inclusivity, tolerance, and open-mindedness.
”We may not always agree on ideas, but disagreement must never breed enmity and constructive criticism should replace destructive attacks, and dialogue should replace hostility,” he said.
The Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Kwara, Abdulrahman Ayuba said the media should not be partisan in reportage as this would not allow them perform their watchdog role in the society.
He also urged citizens to be cautious of posts that could cause problems and always verify information before putting them out in the social media.
Chairman of SDP in Kwara Mr Ibrahim Saheed appealed to INEC to maintain neutrality, as it is very important to achieve politics or election without violence.
He said a political party must not be seen as a favorite of the INEC.
Other stakeholders at the programme include representatives of the NPF, NSCDC, EFCC,LP and others.