Campaign violence, insecurity may derail 2023 polls, GoNigeria warns

By : Waliat Musa

Date: 28 November 2022 4:40am WAT

Supporters of presidential candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi and running mate Datti Baba-Ahmed march during a campaign rally in Lagos, on October 1, 2022. - Tens of thousands of supporters for Nigeria's third party candidate Peter Obi marched in Lagos on Saturday, in the first major campaign rally for the 2023 presidential election. A former governor, Labour Party candidate Obi is challenging to the traditional dominance of ruling APC and main opposition PDP for the presidency of Africa's most populous country. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)

A pro-Nigerian advocacy group, GoNigeria Initiative, has warned that growing violence across Nigeria, since commencement of electioneering, is capable of derailing next year’s polls.

Convener of the group, Atedo Peterside, made this known in a statement, at the weekend, while condemning the escalating violence and divisive rhetoric related to campaigns for the 2023 general elections.

He said it was imperative that stakeholders exercise restraint and not engage in acts capable of causing rancour, divisiveness and violence. He also advised political actors to engage in peaceful and violence-free campaigns.

Atedo called for implementation of Section 128(d) of the 2022 Electoral Act, which protects the rights of candidates to campaign without threat of violence, noting that campaigns should be on progressive ideas that are objective, balanced and promote national unity.

The statement reads: “GoNigeria Initiative, a pro-Nigerian advocacy group aimed at promoting political participation, legitimate elections and good governance, condemns the escalating violence and divisive rhetoric related to campaigns for the 2023 elections.”

“We call on politicians and all stakeholders to eschew hate speech and violence, and we echo the call of the Independent National Electoral Commission that political parties and political leaders conduct their campaigns peacefully without rancour, divisiveness and violence.

“With the 2023 elections still over 90 days away, GoNigeria is concerned about various threats to credible elections, including the increasing incidence of hate speech and other divisive communication designed to amplify ethnic and religious differences.

“The reports of attacks on campaigns, including the violent physical assault of those merely undertaking the tasks of putting up campaign posters, is reprehensible, and if not addressed legally, will embolden further violence.

“Already there are concerns that the rise in pre-election violence will deter voters and is an indirect form of voter intimidation. The situation, if it persists unaddressed, constitutes a threat to national unity and democracy.”