Nigerians rally in New York, demand non-violent, free and fair election

Some Nigerians living in the United States on Thursday carried out peaceful rally in New York in the name of a humanitarian group, HoPe Africa, to demand that the 2019 general election be non-violent, free and fair. This is the second time in one week that the group has staged such rally in the US capital, even as some others are equally marching in other parts of the world. Addressing the rally, the coordinator of HOPe Africa, Engr. Francis John said the international community and Nigerians in the Diaspora want to see that the coming elections are peaceful and to be conducted without violence or loss of life of citizens. “We are here interacting the feedbacks during travels and services in Nigeria and the Diaspora. Consequently, we fear there may be some violence around these elections, as has been the case with previous elections even though we do not anticipate large-scale nation-wide conflict, but rather localized destruction. Given these, we are already seeing increased tensions, hate speeches and polarization as the election approaches. “As a result of classified information, not limited to calls, surveys and inquiries, we assess that politicians are turning to narratives of identity politics in an attempt to improve their popularity, with potentially severe consequences for national unity. However, Nigeria’s political system and society have weathered such tensions before. Therefore, this cannot be taken for granted because Nigeria is very symbolic to the global communities and its neighbours, all hands must be on deck to facilitate a smooth transition,” he said. Recalling what he described as the ‘three strategic plans’ of the US government over the Nigerian elections, Engr. Francis said it has become imperative that Nigerians are aware of the privileges and assurances from superpowers, to assure Nigerians, no one is taken for a fool, in an attempt to manipulate voting and results. The three strategies he said include, Support a free and fair electoral process, including technical assistance to Nigeria’s election institutions, civil society, and political parties as well as U.S. government monitoring of the election around the country; Prevent and mitigate electoral violence, including conflict monitoring, peace building programs, and peace messaging; and Support civic and political engagement, including support to Nigerian civil society election observation and parallel vote tabulation, social media campaigns to engage youth including through our Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), “get out the vote” campaigns, voter education, and Nigerian efforts to counter disinformation. According to him, the US has embedded advance strategy to sustained high-level diplomatic engagement from New York as well as robust and regular engagement by US-Nigerian Ambassador, Consul General, USAID Mission Director, and other officials based in Abuja and Lagos. “It will be recalled, early last year, President Trump welcomed President Buhari to the White House and conveyed his expectations for a credible election. After that, two Secretaries of State, USAID Administrator Green, Deputy Secretary of State Sullivan, and many others have either travelled to Nigeria or met with senior Nigerian officials in the United States to underscore its commitment to free, fair, transparent, and peaceful Nigerian elections in the last twelve months. “None of these proclamations, visits and consultations should be underestimated on the ground of ignorance because the consequences of the United States will be opposed to the ruling party and the entire government, as it has been the practice with violators of democracy in other countries. “The United States, United Kingdom, European Union and the rest of the world have also made it clear that it’s only the Nigerian people that can determine lasting solutions and a path forward toward peace and stability. However, 2019 remains a significant year for Nigerian democracy, as it has been 20 years since the country returned to democratic rule and this election’s youngest voters have never known a Nigeria without justice. The upcoming elections provide Nigerians with an opportunity to shape their country and solidify its place as a democratic leader in Africa,” Engr. Francis said. He charged Nigerians in the Diaspora to relate with their families, friends, community stakeholders at least twice a day, during this election; to keep their respective communities on guard while unfolding developments.
Such as respect for the rule of law, vigilance at polling stations, take notes of all incidences; obtain names of polling agents, returning officers and law enforcement agents from their posted identification cards and or asking for their identities and designations. Follow the whole exercise steadfastly with the following additional tips: type and save the information on your phone, text it to at least three friends, where possible, note the location, time, date and take clear pictures. Using the opportunity offered by the rally to highlight the influx and infiltration of foreigners into Nigeria, especially through the northern borders, Francis said the country should ensure that all attempts to carry forward such self-motivated, ethnic and faith propaganda should be resisted by security agencies as part efforts towards peaceful and credible outcome of the exercise. In concluding, Engr. Francis thanked the founder of Atiku Diaspora Organisation (ATIKUDO) and Director, Diaspora Directorate of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Prof. Isa Odidi who he said was a signatory to the coalition’s letter to Nigerian Consulate and United Nations for permission to carry out the peaceful sensitization campaigns as well as Detective Frank of the New York Police Department (NYPD) for granting the permit as well as staying around with his officers to ensure compliance.