By Naomi Sharang
A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Nigerian Peace Advocates has condemned calls for Interim National Government to takeover from the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The group, which included Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) made the condemnation at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
Spokesperson for the group, Ibrahim Waiya, Executive Director, CDE, said it was unfortunate that some politicians had resorted to unguarded statements following the outcome of the 2023 General Election which was not in their favour.
Waiya said it was important for politicians to apply restraint in their utterances, particularly as Nigeria was going through a critical period of democratic transition.
He called on media to exercise restraint on all broadcast in the interest of peace and national unity.
The Executive Director urged media practitioners in Nigeria to avoid any form of broadcast capable of creating confusion and or aggravating the country’s fragile security situation.
“It is important for the media to x-ray all contents before airing to avoid the Rwanda experience in Nigeria.
“Nigerians should not fall into the trap of any sentiments to serve the interest of any desperate and greedy political leader.
“Also, all aggrieved politicians should stick to legal process for redress as provided by our legal system.
“They should desist from threatening, intimidating and discrediting the same system they seek to serve,”he said.
Waiya called on international organisations and communities to exercise restraint in submitting to the sentiments of some politicians, who were hell bent on destabilising the country.
“Nigeria direly needs the support of its friends at this critical time of transition to salvage our nascent democracy in the interest of Africa’s stability and the world at large,” he said.
He advised the President-elect, Bola Tinubu to run an all-inclusive government to give a sense of belonging to all groups and affiliations in the country.
Mr Mulade Sheriff, the Executive Director, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) said inciting comments were capable of triggering violence.
“We are worried about inciting comments at this critical time in Nigeria.We need to use words that are palatable to the generality of Nigerians.
“We want peace and those interested in ruling Nigeria should use words that will not disintegrate is.
“We need a leader that will galvanise citisens for a better Nigeria and one who will think above ethnicity and other sentiments,” he said.
The Co-convener said it was important to guard the country jealousy, adding that Nigeria had resources that made it the envy of other countries.
Sheriff advised the Federal Government to ensure that all local refineries were revived before subsidy withdrawal to prevent unnecessary hardship on Nigerians.
He advised that incoming administration of Sen. Bola Tinubu to address the problem of Ogoni cleanup once and for all.(NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
