A non-governmental organisation NGO, the Global Peace Foundation of Nigeria (GPFN), has called on Kaduna residents to respect each other’s rights and freedom of choice during and after the March 11, governorship election.
The Country’s Director of GPFN, Rev. Joseph Hayab, made the call at a one-day interactive session on “Peaceful Elections in Kaduna State” with the state gubernatorial candidates and stakeholders Tuesday in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was in collaboration with Big Minds Communication Consult (BMCC) and the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna Chapter.
Hayab called on Kaduna people to respect each other’s rights and freedom of choice in the forth coming Governorship and House of Assembly elections, given the religious sensitivity of the state.
“All peace-loving citizens crave for a united and peaceful Kaduna; GPFN is joining its voice with lovers of peace across the world to appeal to the citizenry to treat each other as one family of God, irrespective of origin, faith or status.
“We are here to network on how we can use religion to motivate the populace to participate in politics as well as consciencetise them to hold political office holders accountable.
“They are not to use religion to divide the people or heat up the polity.
“At GPFN, we hold the strong belief that human beings are members of one family under God, as such politics should not be used as a divisive tool to create enmity but a cord to bind people as one valued family,” he said.
The country director said that Nigerians, especially the youth, demonstrated a longing for morally upright and inventive leaders that would build the society at the last general elections.
He, however, noted that the media had a substantial role to play in the conduct of a credible, free and fair election that would usher in credible leaders that the people desired, especially in Kaduna State.
Hayab enjoined the media to engage in reports that would douse tension, rather than add flames to “an already volatile situation” through sensational reporting.
He urged religious leaders to be mediators rather than instigators, to contribute to nation-building through advocacy for free, fair and credible elections.
“The media, as the fourth estate of the realm, must rise to the challenge of increasing awareness in the society of any distortion and excessive powers by religious leaders.
“Whoever emerges as the winner through a transparent electoral process should treat citizens with love and respect as well as make a frantic effort at uniting the people for effectiveness and productivity.
“We must all work together, irrespective of our religious or other social identities, to achieve and sustain peace in Kaduna State,” he said.
The Kaduna State Jama’atu Nasril Islam Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Kufena, called on the electorate to come out en masse and vote the right leaders and ensure peace reigned during the elections.
Earlier, the Chairman of the chapel, Malam AbdulGafar Alabelewe, called on journalists to be professional in their reportage.
He said journalists had the responsibility to unite citizens for peace and development.
NAN reports that a lecture was delivered on the “Revised Media Code for Election Coverage” by Malam Ahmad Maiyaki, the Founder and Team Leader, Media for Development Initiative (MDI Nigeria)
NAN