Nasarawa State: CSOs advocate violence-free Election

As the 2023 elections draw nearer, the Coalition of Civil Societies (CSOs) on free and peaceful elections in Nasarawa state, North-Central Nigeria, has called on the government to ensure the prosecution of all thugs arrested with dangerous weapons during the last Nasarawa-West senatorial primary election.

The convener and CEO of Nasarawa Centre for Women, Youth & Community Action (NACWYCA), Dr. Nawani Aboki, made the call during a one-day interactive session organized by the coalition.

Dr. Aboki said that any politician who would instigate his supporters to cause violence during and after the election should be arrested and asked to face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.

He explained that the coalition aims to sensitize the citizens to the need to promote free and peaceful elections across the state.

“And that is what we want to achieve,” said Dr. Aboki.

Speaking, the Director-General of Agama Centre for Peace and Development, Mr. Ibrahim Samaila, urged citizens to follow the Electoral Act to have a peaceful election.

He said all government agencies responsible for the election process must ensure that the 2023 Election is held in a free and fair manner devoid of thuggery.

Mr. Samaila, however, called on the judiciary to do their work diligently to maintain the peace that already exists.

“Therefore, we need to stick to the rule of engagement for peace to reign,” he emphasized.

He further charged the youths to support the candidate of their choice without violence and destruction.

Also in his submission, Abdullazeez Bako advised all political gladiators in the state, especially the western and northern zones to play the game according to the rules.

“I want to make a passionate appeal to the political class in Nasarawa State: you should play the game according to the rules.

“The issue of election violence should not be there.

“Some of us have been monitoring elections since 1998 up till this moment.

“So I want to warn politicians to play the game according to the rules. Whoever wins should be allowed to take it,” he said.

He, however, noted that there should be a penalty or sanction for any politician who allows his supporters to foment trouble during and after the election, adding that most election violence erupts in local government areas and wards.

At the end of the interactive session, a communique was drafted.