Kofi Anan Warns Politicians Over Inciting Comments

Kofi Anan Warns Politicians Over Inciting Comments

Former secretary general of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Anan has cautioned politicians over inciting statements capable of dividing the country and causing violence before and after next month’s general election.

Anan, currently the chairman of the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security said, while delivering a keynote address during Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room roundtable on the “role of civil society in ensuring electoral integrity” organised by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) that politicians should watch their utterances in order not to make inciting statements.

Also speaking at the round table, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar described corruption as a major threat to election in Nigeria.

He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a culprit as far as corruption is concerned, adding that some of its officers do compromise.

He further stated that the Judiciary among others also contribute to the level corruption during the electoral process.

In his keynote address, Anan noted that every election since 1999 has been fraught, and marred by violence.

He said, “Many people I have spoken to worry that violence might once again disfigure and undermine the electoral process. So I entreat all Nigerians, and especially the political actors, not to put the amazing progress Nigeria has made in jeopardy.

”Nigeria has the largest population of any country on the continent and has the biggest economy. It plays a major role on the international stage, especially at this time, when it holds a seat at the Security Council. Nigeria is one of the largest contributors of UN peacekeepers.”

‎”It is for this urgent reason that you must stand as one against Boko Haram. We must reject their evil ideology. We are in the same boat. Boko Haram’s vicious and brutal tactics have no place in the civilized world.

“No cause- I repeat no cause- can justify such brutality, murder, kidnapping of innocent children, women and men. “I also urge politicians and their supporters to be careful with their language, for words can inflame, incite and provoke. But they can also calm, soothe and reconcile.

“Nigerians should remember that their destiny is a common one, whether you are Muslim or Christian, Northerner or Southerner, for the PDP or the APC”.

Earlier, the Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, in hi welcome address stated that Nigerians need to be sober because of the inflammatory rhetoric by the politicians, as such is capable of bringing another round of violence. “Nigerians are disappointed in our politicians, in their performance, management of resources, high level of corruption, unemployment among others”, he stated. He further noted that Nigerians have been under civilian government since 1999 but there is no benefit of democracy to show for it.

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, John ‎Cardinal Onaiyekan noted that since the happy returns to democracy in 1999, the country have not recorded a free and fair election.

“Instead of the record to improve, it is getting worse. If this continues, it is dangerous”, he said.

Source: Leadership News