A Global Peace Advocate to the United Nations Association of Africa(UNAA), Ambassador Victor Asije, has called on Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to be peaceable, before, during, and after the coming elections.
Asije said that what must be of primary interest to patriotic Nigerians, before, during, after any election, should be national unity, progress, and peaceful coexistence.
According to the ambassador, good governance remains the fundamental driver of peace in homes, communities, organisations, and nations.
He said, “Dearly beloved Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, as we begin to align, and realign ourselves to be politically relevant, let us all embrace peace, before, during, and after the conduct of the coming elections, anywhere in our beloved country, Nigeria.
“As patriotic Nigerians, I know how much you want overall development for Nigeria, but let’s be truly patriotic,organised, united, progressive, and peaceable during our nation’s ongoing electoral systems.
“To you all highly respectable political aspirants and party supporters, because you have decided to come out to serve, and to choose leaders for your communities, states, and entire nation, Nigeria, you must embrace peace at all times.”
Asije, who noted that mudslinging, misinformation, disinformation, threats and attacks were part of politics, however, cautioned against such acts that had continued to break strong family ties,long relationships, businesses, and other engagements between Nigerians.
The global peace advocate said that it was vitally important for most Nigerians to begin to realise the benefits of free, fair, and credible elections as being experienced in other democratic nations of the world.
Asije said that some advancing democracies of the world, had continued to learn from their past mistakes, adding that there was a lot for Nigeria, and Nigerians to learn from such nations.
“Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora must begin to understand what elections are meant for, and why they are seeking elective positions, and seeking to vote.
“It is when they have a sincere, working understanding of why we want to vote and be voted for, that they would not continue to see elections as do or die engagements.
“And it is when political aspirants,and party supporters begin to reinvent their commitments to good governance, that the wind of peace will become noticeable everywhere. And when there is no peace, you can readily trace it to governance,” the Ambassador said.
Asije explained that genuine political aspiration and inspiration were good, but that they both needed political perspiration to drive the much needed dividends of democracy to every Nigeria, everywhere.
The UNAA appointed global peace advocate added that when the outcome of the ongoing electoral systems were peaceful, Nigeria would gain more positive global recognition.
“In the words of Abraham Lincoln, the ballot is stronger than the bullet, if well used.
So when we do the right thing with our votes, elections, and position, peace would reign more in Nigeria.
“We should always remember that, our beloved country, Nigeria,is so stragetic to most nations of the world, that whenever good things become possible in Nigeria, her diplomatic partners had always strengthen their relations with Nigeria.
“So when we go about Nigeria’s coming elections without rancour, bitterness, and mudslinging, this country would not only be more enviably better for it, the whole wide world would continue to identify more with, and make good references to her democracy.”Asije said.
The ambassador, who cautioned against the wrong uses of digital media platforms to disrupt Nigeria’s political system, enjoined Nigerians in the Diaspora to be part of the ongoing electoral systems.
