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2023 General Election: AUDA-NEPAD Calls For Violence-Free Election, As Campaigns For Silencing The Gun Continues

Published

4 years ago

February 21, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Agency in charge of Africa strategic policy framework for the entrenchment of sustainable economic growth and development, African Union Development Agency/New Partnership for Africa’s Development AUDA-NEPAD on Tuesday has sued for violence free Election in the forthcoming general billed for this month.

The National Cordinator, AUDA-NEPAD Princess Gloria Akobundu made the call in Abuja At the media briefing on the launch of Nigeria 2nd country review report (CRR)/National Programme of action (NPoA) and zonal sensitization on violence-free election to sensitizes Nigerian on the Silencing the gun, say no to violence campaign for purpose of economic acceleration.

According to her, the violence free Election sensitization is timely and critical towards the upcoming General elections judging from the tension-induced element that have pervaded the environment prior to this Election and still persists and waxing stronger. If left unchecked and unmanaged with seriousness, could be a cause for great concern.

“Election violence induces fear of physical injury and actual loss of life, resulting in psychological effects on individuals and society which are resultant impacts expected from fraud, vote-buying and other varieties of electoral manipulation.

“The Second Country Report of the Federal Republic of Nigeria strongly recommended the need for collaborative efforts in addressing challenges escalating conflicts and violence in the country through early warning mechanism which includes advocacy, negotiation and sensitization. Notably, Electoral Violence has been a re-occurring problem and threat to achieving democracy and good governance in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“This challenge is inimical to Democracy and efforts must be made to combat it. African Union has currently expressed serious concern in elections and political transitions which often posed serious threats to the unity and stability of member states and Nigeria inclusive.

She therefore, urged all Stakeholders, to blow the trumpet of No Violence during elections: “Let us go back home and talk to the people on this monster called “Violence.”

“Mothers please tell your children they should not be involved in any form of violence because they may die for nothing.”

Princess Akobundu commended the President Muhamadu Buhari, the Governors of the 36 States and the FCT Minister as well as the Security Agencies, NISS, TRIs for their cooperation and support during the nationwide country self-assessment and validation exercise.

It will be recalled that, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria kick-off the Violence Free Election Sensitization Campaign in North East- Bauchi, South west-Lagos and North central-Abuja in line with the early warning mechanism and Silencing the Gun for a credible, free and fair General election devoid of violence and related causalities to bequeath to the nation a peaceful transition from one government to another.

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Musawa Seeks Broader Significance for June 12

Published

1 day ago

October 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., says June 12 must be remembered as a sacrifice that gave Nigerians democracy, beyond its status as a public holiday.

In a statement signed on Saturday by the Senior Assistant Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister,Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Dr Nneka Ikem Anibeze Ph.D in Abuja.

Musawa stated this at the national premiere of “MKO”, a film on Chief Moshood Abiola, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

She said 33 years after June 12, 1993, many young Nigerians know it only as a holiday, but the film turns it back into memory.

“For too many young Nigerians, June 12 is simply a public holiday. This film tells them that our democracy did not arrive by chance. It was fought for. It was defended. It was paid for. This documentary is in honour of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today,” the Minister said.

Musawa hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Host, for his participation in the June 12 struggle and paying the price in exile, adding that Nigeria’s creative industry will keep telling the story of its democracy with courage.

“Through film and the creative economy, Nigeria will preserve its history. A nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future. Nigeria has a story and our story deserves to be told,” she said.

Earlier, the director of the investigative documentary, Ose Oyamendan, said the film was in honour and memory of heroes who fought for Nigeria’s democracy.

“There was Hope ’93 and now there is Renewed Hope. There was a man who sacrificed his life so we may have democracy and there is a man who almost lost his life fighting for democracy who is now helping build a lasting democracy.

“There was a great man called Bashorun MKO Abiola and there is now another great man called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Democrats. Nationalists. Nation builders. Leaders of men and women. We must never forget our story. We must always honour and remember our heroes,” Oyamendan said.

Top government officials including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief of Staff to the President Rt. Femi Gbajabiamila, state Governors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers and other distinguished dignitaries attended the premiere.

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