As the drum of the general elections hits hard and the rhythm seemingly hoax, it is very imperative to remind the citizenry the utmost importance of ensuring a peaceful exercise. It is true that we are clamouring for free and fair election void of rigging, vindictiveness, rancor, but most importantly there is need to emphasize that we, individually, advise ourselves against taking actions that will jeopardize the process.
With just few days remaining to the polls, peace remains a necessity in all dealings by political gladiators and the electorate. This is because any counterproductive move from any of these players in the electorate process will make the whole efforts become waste.
The scarcity of the new naira notes and its attendant cash swap crisis, the scarcity and increase in the pump price of petrol, the poor state of security in different parts of the country and the different forms of political and ethnic intimidation have been identified as some very serious challenges to the peaceful conduct of this month’s polls. However, there is no justification for committing to social destruction. One thing the youth should know is that whatever that is destroyed today can never be regained no matter the efforts to rebuild it. Any one killed or wounded or anything or property destroyed during an election violence whether before, during or after will remain lost. Only regrets will remain. The mentality to resort to violence as a way of seeking redress or expressing hurt must now be done away with. Nigerians cannot continually be seen in the international community as being unable to peacefully to resolve our differences.
Often, we complain about how we are mistreated at airports, subjected to strenuous, strict and extra screening exercises, singled out for different negative commentaries in different parts of the world, stereotyped with violence without underlining our own contributions to these perceptions. Degenerating to violence during every
electoral circle can only sustain these prejudices held against us and will not change until we take the right steps towards doing the right thing and ensuring that we are perceived the way we want to be perceived. We must own the narrative this time around to ensure a peaceful general elections.
The future holds us accountable for whatever we destroy or build today. It, therefore, leaves us with a deep question for thought when our children and grand children finds out that we destroyed their would-have -been heavenly country because we decided to seek redress through destructive means. It is understandable that the current frustrations of the mass of the people follow the leaders failures to fulfill their campaign promises and live upto expectations but two wrongs can never make a right. Violence has never in history produced any positive results apart from making a worse case worst.
Let’s exercise our civic responsibility with diligence. Nigeria may be bitter today, but when we do the right things, sweetness will soon be tasted on all rounds. Take back the sword and think of the peace of Nigeria. Let the outcome of the election be seen as a divine providence.
Social influencers should admonish and sensitize their fans and loyalists to cool down the strife and work towards a better electoral process. Political parties should, on the other hand, adhere to the precepts of the new electoral laws which abhors strife and other electoral vices. They should caution their supporters and start to see the election outcome as the wish of the masses.
When these are done, we shall see our victory over the gods of strife and violence and enthrone the god of peace and progress.
Written by UGOCHUKWU NWAFOR
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