UNOY Members Call for Peaceful and Just Elections in Nigeria

Since the first presidential election in Nigeria in 1963, free and fair elections, and peaceful transitions of power have been challenged by electoral violence and malpractices. The nation is once again heading to the polls on February 16, 2019, for general elections.

In the context of the heated political developments, as a global network of youth-led peacebuilding organisations with members in Nigeria and Africa, the United Network of Young Peacebuilders calls for a free, fair, and credible election process, and collectively condemn attempts by any powerholder to engage in any electoral malpractices that may cause unrest in Nigeria, during or after the general elections.

We also invite the Nigerian youth to resist attempts to manipulate public opinion – all too frequent in electoral times – and call for violent partisanship and electoral misconduct. Instead, we encourage them to eschew violence and exercise their voting right promoting a culture of peace. Key actions should include the following:

The Federal government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari must give Nigerians and the international community free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. INEC and security agencies must be allowed to be independent in this process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission must ensure the necessary logistic and human capacities are in place to handle the process.
The Nigeria Police, the Army, the Civil Defense, and all other sister security agencies that will be deployed during and after the elections must ensure just and credible elections in accordance with the rule of law.
Last but not the least, all stakeholders, from political parties to civil society, from candidates to voters, from foreign to national observers, must put individual and group interests aside and ensure peaceful and credible elections.

UNOY Peacebuilders members in Nigeria – Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Advocates For Youth And Health Development, Youth for Peace Building and Development in Africa, Taking All Men Brother, Youth Coalition Against Terrorism – are at the disposal of the Nigerian public during the elections to support any arising concern, and record and report violent or unlawful behaviours that may impede the peaceful and democratic nature of the elections.

We wish Nigeria a peaceful elections,

Rafiu Adeniran Lawal, International Steering Group Representative for West and Central Africa;
Mohammed Foboi, Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa.

Endorsed on behalf of UNOY Peacebuilders by:

Ali Fayez, International Steering Group Representative for Asia
Ana Maria Mendoza Garcia, International Steering Group Representative for Americas
Rebecca Hovhannisyan, International Steering Group Representative for Europe
Tobias Saratiel, International Steering Group Representative for East and Southern Africa
Yazeed Al Jeddawy, International Steering Group Representative for Middle East and North Africa