Afenifere tells politicians, focus on policies and programmes
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political organsation, has warned politicians of all political divides over the rising verbal and physical attacks against opponents across the country.
Afenifere National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi urged political parties and their candidates to focus on how they will tackle the myriad of challenges in Nigeria rather than making utterances and taking actions aimed at “de-marketing of opponents and possibly causing bodily harms on other people.”
Ajayi said verbal attacks from candidates and their spokespersons encourage their supporters to attack opponents which may result in bloodshed.
He expressed concern over escalating violence despite peace accords signed by presidential candidates and others.
He cited a report by research organisation SB Morgan which disclosed 27 Nigerians were killed in 57 politically-motivated violent incidents between January and December 2022.
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52 political violence in one month alone
Ajayi also quoted National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno who said Nigeria recorded 52 acts of political violence across 22 states between October 8 and November 9 in 2022.
“That was 52 acts of political violence within just one month! Monguno said this at an emergency meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja recently,” he recounted, according to The PUNCH.
“Candidates and political parties that have good programmes to execute would not resort to verbal or physical attacks.
“We urge political parties and their candidates to focus on what plans they have to put an end to or at least ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.
“They should let us know that they understand the enormity of the problems facing us and that they have solutions to these problems.
“An end should be put to mutual self-abuse either verbally or physically.”