2019 Elections: CSOs, Traditional Leaders Advocate For Peace on the Plateau
By Moses Gbande
Members of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All and Centre for Health Care and Economic Empowerment for Women and Youth in Plateau State has stressed the need for citizens of Plateau state to ensure a peaceful coexistence.
The Coalition made this call Wednesday during a press conference culminating to an interactive session with Traditional and Religious Leaders on the outcome mlof the Governorship and house of Assembly elections, held at the Eagle Valley Hotel in Jos, the Plateau state capital.
The Convener, Peter Iorapuu of the Centre for Health Care and Economic Empowerment For Women and Youths, commended the Independent Nationai Electoral Commission, INEC, Political Parties, Security Agencies, Religious and Traditional Institutions, Observer Groups, the Media and every stakeholder that have largely contributed to the peaceful conduct of the 2019 General Elections in the State.
He commended the electorates in the state for conducting themselves peacefully while exercising their franchise and demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship displayed so far by the people especially, the political parties as the elections are over.
“In the same vein, we commend the Plateau State Government for providing an enabling and conducwe envnronment for peaceful
conducts of the elections”.
‘We are not unaware of the fact that every election has its challenges and the 2019 gencral elections especially, the just concluded governorship elections in not immune from this. The elections were no doubt a fair, keenly but fierce contest between the 24 candidates who have demonstrated clearly, the capacnty to govern the state. The final outcome of the elections has confirmed this position.
“However, the elections are over and winners have emerged. We are gradually entering another phase -Election Petitions Tribunal. As Civil Society Organisations which are committed to deepening democracy in Nigeria and Plateau state in particular and a peacetuI state, we are calling on stakehoiders, especially, the political parties and politicians in the state to be peace advocates during this period.
“We urge every candidate in the elections who are not satisfied With the eventual results to approach the Election Petition Tribunals to pursue their interest as our Courts still remained the hope of the common man. Just last week, the Osun State Govemorshlp Eiection Petition Tribunals sitting in Abuja declared an Opposition candidate in the September 2018 governorship election in Osun state as the winner against the sitting governor of the state who is from the ruling party. This is what we want In P|ateau state and not resorting to seIf-help by whipping of religious, political or ethnic sentiments which can jeopardize the current relative peace In the state.
“As CSOs, we are ready to work with any government at any level to promote good governance, accountability, transparency and deepening the peace efforts In the state regardless of the political party of the occupier of such office.
” Therefore, we want to urge the good people of P|ateau state that irrespective of our religious, political and ethnic divide, bury our dttterences and support the government in place in whatever means possible to see that the people on the Plateau have economic prosperity, inclusive governance and social justice to all”.
Speaking separately, the Ter Tiv on the Plateau, Chief Peter Shiwua Apeh, the Chief of Idome on the Plateau, Chief Barr.Leo Adejo and Muslims and Jenta Adamu Community leaders commended CSOs, NGOs and other groups for their commitments in pursuing the path of peace in the state.
They charged Journalists to press harder toward ensure that the advent of Social Media does not undermine the powers vested in the pen profession, saying as traditional leaders, they have device mechanisms of ensuring peaceful coexistence among the people by constantly meeting with tribal leaders to address emerging challenges.
Nasarawa Reporters 