Joyce Onwuka
Ahead of the 2023 National Elections, youth leaders of ethnic, religious and community based associations are expected to meet in Lagos before the February 25 poll.
In statement issued on Wednesday, the Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER) said the meeting will bring together youth leaders of strategic ethnic and community based groups, including labour and the media to work out peace building and conflict prevention module.
“Elections in Nigeria are associated with conflict and civil society groups have important roles to play in peace building, the media in particular is key to setting agenda for setting agenda for and prosperity before, during and after the elections”, the statement signed by Adewale Adeoye said
The summit will draw participants from major ethnic and socio cultural groups with focal points on youth driven organisations.
JODER said the 1-day summit will develop a common framework for youth leaders of critical organizations to mobilize their members against violence, ethnic and religious conflict.
JODER said “Nigerians are organized along several non-formal institutions. Any time there’s conflict, these groups are vulnerable, they can be manipulated by political actors. By bringing the groups together, JODER hopes to strengthen the existing network in rural communities for collective action against violence.”
The media group said from experience, Nigerians are anxious to live in peace but are also at the mercy of political actors who find violence as the most potent weapon of expression.
He regretted that though, the summit will not hold across the country nor on a regional scale limiting its national impact, however JODER said it has identified flash points in some parts of the country where constructive engagement of the stakeholders is expected to mitigate against violence.
‘We believe the prevention of conflict in these areas will have chain impact on the wellbeing of the country at large.’
It noted that as the 2023 elections draw near, the country has become more fragile. ‘Some of the most outstanding Presidential candidates represent the four largest ethnic groups, there is also a religious dimension to the election. The civil society engagement is necessary to set the agenda for peaceful co-existence among Nigeria’s diverse groups” JODER said.
The group noted that certain politicians continue to fan the flame of division through their actions and utterances, making the election to look like war. ‘The rhetoric of violence dominate the mainstream and social media. We need to change this narrative, the people should be energized for collective, rural and urban solidarity against violence.’
JODER said it looks forward to a series of pre and post election activities including but not limited to training, distribution of advocacy materials, advocacy visits, radio and social media messaging, the strengthening of existing of network of peace advocates and monitors to drive the compelling force of peace and conflict prevention in Nigeria.