By Seyi Babalola
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has expressed concern over claims of victory at the last presidential election in Nigeria by more than one political party.
The agency has therefore urged politicians and other citizens to embrace peace in the interest of Nigeria’s unity.
The Director-General of NOA, Garba Abari, stated this at a media parley tagged “Nigeria First” held in Ikeja, Lagos State on Tuesday.
This meet-up follows the NOA’s engagements in Abuja and Kano, all aimed at building national cohesion and peace in Nigeria.
Mr. Abari noted that the current situation, where more than one political party is claiming victory, holds ominous signs for the polity, if not delicately managed.
According to him: “It is not unusual that some will feel dissatisfied after any election. This is so because, in the electoral contest for the position of president, only one candidate can win at a time. Our current situation where more than one political party is claiming victory holds ominous signs for the polity, if not delicately managed.
“It is in view of the agency’s mandate aimed at building national cohesion that I am hosting this media parley,” the director-general said.
According to him, the meeting is to enlist media’s support for moderate and be conflict-sensitive in reporting the unfolding events after the declaration of a winner in the presidential election.
“Let our conversation be temperate, conflict sensitive and moderate, so that followers of various political parties are not incited to violence.
“I have a special appeal to the media. You have a role to play now. Do not magnify the political narratives that divide our country and our people.
“Democracy is about the contest of ideas and was never meant to produce violent outcomes. Let us all work towards the peace that we so desire for us and generations yet unborn.’’
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) highlighted managing Nigeria’s diversity as one of the country’s challenges, especially during national elections.
He commended Nigerians for the reduction in election violence, stating that the 2023 election will be remembered as one of the least violent in Nigeria’s history, thanks to the people’s adoption of non-violence as part of the country’s social creed.
“Let me say that the 2023 election will be recorded as one of the least violent elections in Nigeria. It is not because people were not provoked enough, but our people appear to have received well the gospel of non-violence as one of our nation’s social creeds,” he said.
Abari emphasised that Lagos is a significant State in Nigeria with advanced political, commercial, and media environments.
“Despite managing its vast diversity for years, it was unfortunately one of the flash-points of violence during the last election, which is not the Lagos that people admire,” he noted.
Mr. Abari also urged political stakeholders to control their supporters and called on patriots to put the country’s interests first.
“We all have s responsibility in the sustainability of the peace and stability in the country. It is at times like this that patriots, elder statesmen and women, men and women of conscience who put the country over self must rise up to be counted. Reasonable voices should be counted on the side of moderation, and temperate conversation.
“We must all be sensitive and circumspect in the things that we say, write, or show on our screens, I call on the major stakeholders in the political events that are unfolding to reign in their key supporters.
“The role of the media in this is to refrain from giving vent to the caustic, insultive narratives that characterised the campaigns. The elections have come and gone and a new administration is set to assume office at the centre. This is a period for building bridges of understanding across the divide. We must all come to the realisation that we need a peaceful stable country to be able to practice our various vocations,” he stated.
