The US on Thursday in Abuja challenged Nigerian politicians to redouble their commitments to the non-violence pledge toward the February general elections.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, gave the challenge at the Eisenhower Leadership Series Launch and the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and 86th Birthday Anniversary held in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the lecture had “Peaceful Elections and Promoting Citizens’ Leadership in Nigeria” as its theme.
Entwistle said the US remained Nigeria’s most committed partner to non-violent general elections in February.
He added: “Whenever I meet with a politician or a candidate here, I ask him or her to publicly take the non-violence pledge.
“That is, to state clearly in front of their fellow Nigerians that they will not condone, foment or endorse violence before, during or after the elections.
“Committing to non-violence, in the spirit of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. means that you will not engage in or support violence for any reason.
“No matter what others do, do everything in your power to stop violence and speak out against those who advocate it.”
The envoy commended the Nigerian media for its role in sensitising the citizens against violence.
He expressed delight at the way civil society organistions and people from the entertainment industry like 2Face with his “Vote not Fight” campaign took up the matter.
Entwistle said: “As representative of a fellow democracy that is a great friend and partner of Nigeria, I look forward to your massive democratic exercise next month with anticipation.
“I have no doubt that it will be boisterous, loud and hotly-contested and that’s all good.
“But all of us must do everything we can, in the spirit of Dr Martin Luther King Jr., to ensure that exuberance does not descend into violence.”
Entwistle said it was in the non-violent spirit of Luther King that he had been so outspoken over the past year on the importance of non-violence in Nigeria’s upcoming elections.
The ambassador, therefore, tasked Nigerian politicians to give their voices to non-violence, stressing: “I believe that Luther King’s dream was also the dream of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
“All of them would certainly have heard the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
“It is up to all of us to make real our commitment to inclusion and non-violence.
“And in that endeavour, cloaked in the spirit of Dr Martin Luther King, the US remains Nigeria’s most committed partner.”
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