REPORT OF THE NATIONAL
STAKEHOLDERS’ SUMMIT
ON 2019 ELECTION
INTEGRITY
AND OFFICIAL
UNVEILING OF LET THE VOTES COUNT.
“RIG NO VOTE”
THURSDAY, 19TH
JULY, 2018
LADI KWALI HALL,
SHERATON, ABUJA
1.
Introduction
This summit was jointly
organized by Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Nigeria Supreme Council
for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Present
at the summit were His Eminence, Alh
(Dr). Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto, Rev. Dr. Sampson Olasupo Ayokunle,
National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Co-Chairman,
Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC); President, Nigerian Baptist Convention
(NBC); Executive member, World Council of Churches (WCC); His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni
of Ife, Co-Chair, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN); Obiageli K. Ezekwesili, Senior Economic
Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI); Comrade
Kennedy Iyere, Project Initiator and Convener of RigNoVote Movement and many dignitaries. There were 20
representatives from the NSCIA and CAN respectively. Some of the eminent
personalities gave speeches which are highlighted below.
2.
His
Eminence, Alh (Dr). Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto
In his opening speech,
His Eminence, Alh (Dr). Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto appreciated
the Royal Fathers and dignitaries present. He thanked All Mighty Allah for
making it possible for us to be in Abuja for this very important event to
discuss very serious issues affecting the development of our country, that is
the general elections. He said that what matters is not the number of people
that participate in this program but the quality of people and the
presentations that will be made. We have the media present and this would
enable the messages go out to the whole country and the whole world. This
gathering has the presence of the highest level of representatives given that
here presents are Religious leaders of the Major Religions and Traditional
Rulers in our country represented by himself, the Sultan and the Ooni of Ife.
There could be no better forum to discuss national issues especially of such
magnitude and importance because whatever we say here would reach the various
Mosques, Churches, Empires and communities. We are here together as evidence of
seriousness and commitment of all of us to see a better Nigeria. We could not
have come at a better time than now.
He said that when the
President of CAN called him, he had to make amendments in his schedule to
enable him be part of this program. He too rescheduled his program to be back from
outside the country to be part of this program. The importance of this program
is better imagined by those outside to enquire why the participation of this
high level of leaders. The presence of the Religious leaders is key because all
our political leaders belong to either the Christian faith or Islamic faith.
All our political leaders belong to an ethnic group in Nigeria. This is what
makes this gathering the more important. It is a very serious program and that
is why we are here. Whenever we are invited to a gathering of this nature, we
shall always try to be there to offer a few words to show our commitment to how
things should be done right.
He emphasized the
importance of justice. You cannot have a God fearing society without justice in
whatever you do. Othman Dan Fodio says that a country can endure with unbelief but
that country cannot endure with injustice. This is why as leaders; we must put justice as
the strongest pillar. Every conference big or small is talking about how things
should be done in Nigeria. As Christians and Muslims, we uphold the sacredness
of life and anybody going about killing innocent people and claiming to do so in
the name of any religion is not doing right and must be condemned and
ostracized from our communities. We must tell the killers that this is not our
religion. We have talked over time that there is too much blood shedding in
Nigeria. This is the blood of innocent people who do not even know what is
happening in Nigeria and do not even know what is government.
On Peace and development,
he said, if these killings continue, we cannot see development and peace in
Nigeria. We must wake up and come together because our religions do not allow
us to kill people. Our religions preach peaceful co-existence, loving your
neighbour as yourself and things like that. He said that he does not know where
all these ideas of killings and calling one another all sorts of names come
from. He said that he is speaking for Islam while the CAN President will speak
for the Christians in this country. He said that it is one thing to come to a
meeting to say things in a very serious manner and it is another thing to
implement the resolutions. In Islam, for you to say what you do not believe in
is very bad and worse in the eyes of the Almighty Allah. So you cannot say one
thing and go and do another. It is there in the Holy Quran.
On leadership, the Sultan
said, People see politics as do or die but we do not see it that way. It is not
by force that you must be in a particular office. You can contribute your own
quota in developing your community by being an independent person helping other
people. It is not by force that you must be in public office. If you know the
implications of holding a public office in all sincerity, you would not want to
hold a public office. But because you do not know, you think that holding
public office is all about stealing public fund and going around with long
convoy, blowing siren with many security agents to guard you. Some people think
that is all about public office. This is not leadership. If you are elected by
people, let the people come near you and feel the pains of those people. You
cannot be in an office and nobody comes close to you and then you say you are
their leader. A leader must take decisions based on consultations. Ask the
people what you think is right to do. You do not just wake up in the morning
and issue laws and decrees that is totally against freedom and things like
that.
On becoming the voice of
the voiceless, the Sultan said, if we do not keep talking out loud as Religious
and Traditional leaders to tell the truth, the truth will work against us and
we shall find ourselves in situations we cannot get out from. God is a Merciful
God. There is nothing to fear about. God is not a wicked God and God is for
all. God hears the cry of the downtrodden. The cry of the downtrodden is much
more serious today. If you hear so much cry in a country, then something is
wrong with the leadership and that leadership must take corrections and see how
we can do things right. So our coming together is so important because when we
talk, we are talking from the Holy Books. That leaders of the Christian and
Islamic faith are coming together to talk about our country means that the
issues are serious.
On the state of the
nation, the Sultan said that things are not right in Nigeria. A problem
acknowledged is a problem half solved. There are so many things that call for
our attention as Religious and Traditional leaders. If we do not say the right
things by way of correction, that could lead us to hell fire so we must be very
serious about our religious calling. If we want to have a country, we must be
very serious about the plight of the common man. People are suffering. There is
poverty. Some people cannot send their children to school and many graduates
are unemployed. With these, we cannot say that things are right. We all know
that things are not right. If we know that there is a problem, then we should
see how to solve the problem. But some
keep arguing that there is no problem whereas there are serious problems.
This is why we cannot stop
talking. We must continue to meet. The meetings and conferences cannot be too
much given the magnitude of the problems in Nigeria. The more we come together,
the more we know one another. Some of
you know that we have not met for some time but today we are here to exchange
words of fellowship and love as God’s children. It is better to come together
to talk about our common problems. He said that we would hear more from the
Co-chairman of the traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Co-chairman of NIREC
and the President of CAN and others who would address the gathering. He called on the CAN President who is also the
Co-Chairman of NIREC to feel free to correct him if he had said things that
need to be corrected. That is the only way we can reach common agreement and face
the common problems and challenges in the country
He concluded by saying
that we must deal with our common problems which are terrorism just as we dealt
with the common problem of mosquitoes.
He said that mosquitoes have no religion, On Sunday they go to Church
and on Friday they go to Mosque. So we must come together to solve this current
common problem of insecurity. Let us make sure that our resolutions are
implemented. He called on the youths never to allow the politician to use them
to steal ballot boxes and rig elections. The youths must resist the
manipulations of the “big men”.
The children of the rich
are never in the forefront of this noise making. Their children are not even in
Nigeria, they are abroad. Those in Nigeria are protected in fine houses while
they send the children of the poor to go out and die for their selfish
ambition. While the children of the rich go around even to the market with
security agents, it is the children of the poor who are struggling to have
something to eat that are given few naira to go and die in the course of
violence in the name of election. So Christians and Muslims must come
together. He thanked all for believing
in this project. We must ensure that there is one man one vote and the votes
must count. Say no to election rigging. He thanked the participants present for
believing in this project. We must ensure that the votes count. He concluded by
enjoining all that to vote in 2019 and ensure that the votes are counted. He
said that we should think upright as religious leaders and mean what we say!
3.
Rev.
Dr. Sampson Olasupo Ayokunle
Rev. Dr. Sampson Olasupo
Ayokunle, National President, Christian Association of Nigeria appreciated the
large heart of the Sultan who have thrown so many carrots inviting him for
mutual relationship and the need to work together. He responded to this gesture
because religion ought not to bring conflict especially when God in his own
wisdom has brought us together with a common destiny. We do not need to go so
far before accepting one another and work together for peace and progress. He
said that when he called the Sultan, he was not to be at this summit because of
his tight schedule but he accepted to put aside every other thing to be here. He
had to return from Dubai for this purpose. He said that the Sultan believes in
peaceful coexistence and the working together of the Christians and the
Muslims. He appreciated the Ooni of Ife whom he called “our father” and the
father of the nation. He appreciated the right image the Ooni has given to the
traditional stool in Nigeria. He appreciated his humility to be in a meeting
like this. He appreciated all the people on the high table especially David
Young from the American Embassy.
He said that we are here
to consider the 2019 election integrity and the unveiling of the “Let
the votes count”. The two
religions, Christianity and Islam are committed to one man one vote and one
woman one vote in the fourth coming election. He said that we must insist that
all the election umpires and INEC must make all votes count. Considering the
state of the nation of Nigeria, we have no reason to be where we are presently.
We are suffering because those who have been ruling us are manipulating us such
that we have been having wrong people at the helm of affairs. The blind has been leading those who can see.
It is very unfortunate! The best politician is supposed to be the leader of our
nation. We don’t want a mediocre because you can only offer what you have. You
cannot offer what you don’t have. Are we ready in this 21st century
to take our destiny in our hands by saying no to anyone no matter how highly
placed that wants to manipulate the elections by rigging to mortgage the future
of many Nigerians.
He said that if you get
to our airports in comparison to the airports of other civilized nations, you
will be ashamed because this is not what should be. Is it because we do not
have money or because of the negligent of those who are ruling us? He regrets
that we do not have good airports, roads, and other social amenities. The roads
have become death traps. The insecurity matters like armed robbers, kidnappers
and killings on our roads is a result of bad leadership. Why can’t we have leaders
that can add value to our lives and make Nigeria proud? He said that we need
quality leaders who can serve Nigeria selflessly. Therefore, we must be
committed as stakeholders to come out with the best Nigerian to be President of
Nigeria in 2019. We need an objective leader who hates nepotism. We must as
stakeholders be committed to electing the best leader in 2019. Otherwise, we
mortgage again our future. He said that in terms of credibility, the
registration process must be such that the voters register produced by INEC is reliable.
He said that to ensure
credibility, INEC must have no political party, region and religious
affiliation if they are to be true watch dogs to guarantee our future. There
must be impartiality of the security agents. If we allow the results of the
governorship elections in the areas where there were vote buying, then we are
not ready for the elections of 2019. There is no other country were politicians
are so desperate like Nigeria. He said that he suspects that the desperate
politicians are not fighting for the common good. He added that the judicial
system must be ready to dispense justice. The election observers both national
and international should be neutral and not been seen to be taking sides with a
political party.
He called on all to get
their PVC. The media must not take bribe to mortgage the future of Nigeria. He
enjoined the Sultan to see that the next election should be credible as the
next election will either make or mal Nigeria. He reported that John Cardinal
Onaiyekan has called on the Christians and the Muslims to disown those sounding
war drums. According to INEC, 70 million people have registered. He enjoined
those who have registered to make sure that they vote. Otherwise, all the money
spent on elections will be a waste. We must be ready to talk correctly to
ourselves without fear or favour. There must be love of the nation by the
contestants and politicians because we have no other country. He regrets that
politicians are so desperate in having their way. If this people want to lead
us by making sacrifice, why the desperation? He said that he is beginning to
suspect the politicians because if they are eager to lead because of the love
for the common good, why the desperation? All of us must refuse to be used by
the politicians to manipulate elections.
He reiterated that the
youths must be matured and courageous enough to say no to all forms of
manipulation. The Judiciary must be ready to dispense justice in handling
electoral malpractices. The National and International observers must be ready
to help Nigeria by reporting electoral misconduct. They should not allow
themselves to be bought to avert more harm than good. He called on the
International communities not to party with the Political leaders but to speak
truth to the reality in our nation. That way Nigerians will know that the international
communities love us. He called on the Churches to enlighten their members on
the need to maintain sanity during the period of elections. They should get
their PVC and vote. They Church members should not sell their consciences.
He concluded by calling
on the media to help us by refusing bribe. He begged the media to report the
right thing. He told the media that if they mortgage the future of Nigerians,
the blood of Nigerians will be on them. He said that 2019 will either make or
mal Nigeria. He called on all to put the nation first above any other
consideration. Let those who are shedding blood know that we are not behind
them. He reported that John Cardinal
Onaiyekan has written him and the Sultan concerning the two groups each from
Christianity and Islam that are the problems to the peaceful coexistence
between Christians and Muslims. The identity of these groups will be revealed
after due consultation with the Sultan. He moved that these two groups who are
disturbing the nation should be disowned. We must say no to blood shed because
no Nigeria deserve to die prematurely.
4.
Oba
Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife
In his remarks, His
Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife
appreciated the nobility of the CAN President. He acknowledges the presence of
Ezekwesili and appreciated her drive for the “Bring Back Our Girls”. He
acknowledged King Jaja of Opobo and other distinguished people present. He said that what we were there for is something
that he is very passionate about. The common thing that binds all of us
together is our dear nation NIGERIA. He said that the name NIGERIA is greater
than all of us. The day we know that that name is above all of us irrespective
of our religion, our beliefs, different political affiliations and class, a lot
of things will change. He said that he is opportuned to be a traditional ruler
not by his power and might but actually by God Almighty.
He said that before him, his
predecessors of blessed memory were there. Before the Sultan of Sokoto, his
predecessors were there. We had several CAN Presidents in this country before
Rev. Dr. Ayokunle. We had many Presidents of Nigeria before the incumbent
President. They have come and gone but this country still remains. This should
make us know that the country is greater than us. So we should respect the
land. We should give honour to the name, NIGERIA. This is a fact that we all cannot do without.
Starting from leadership to followership, something is fundamentally wrong with
this country. We should know this and we should not take this with lips
service.
On the rising population,
he said that the country is growing every day but nobody is talking about birth
control. The population of Nigeria now is between 290 to 300 million. The
subscribers of GSM now are about 20 million people. Those who have registered
with INEC is over 70 million people. The population of Nigeria children now is
getting to 70 million. These are facts that we should all work on and be
serious about. In Nigerian’s demography, people from the age of 30 are about
60% of the country. That means that given the population of Nigeria, people
under the age of 30 are between 120 million and 130 million. That is a lot of
work force in any nation. To go further, those below the age of 40 are 70% of
Nigeria population. People below 50 years and above are not up to 30% of this
country. That is about 50 million people. The leadership oligarchy of our
country is less than 1% that has been ruling us since 1960. Let us be realistic
and take note that there is problem in this country. Let us call a spade a spade.
Do not hide under any color. White is white, black is black. So the active
population right now is about 140 million to 150 million. He lamented that the
future is very bleak.
He referred to the Boko
Haram youths that were arrested and paraded as shown on the television. These
youths were told to make one or two statements. These youths were below the age
of 30. They thought that they were doing business by killing human beings. They
confessed that they were paid to kidnapped the innocent Chibok girls and take
them to Sambisa forest. Some said that those who sent them are still owing
them. There is problem in this country. What are our leaders doing to maintain
the youths who do not know their left from their rights? How are we orientating the minds of our
hungry youths? Yet the political leaders destroy the youths by paying them do
commit crime for them. The oxygen of politics are the people but in Nigeria,
the oxygen of politics is money. That is why they sell and buy votes.
What a nation! The
leaders and followers of this country are not safe because the youths of this
country are ignorant, hungry and want to sustain themselves. All that the
youths need are basic things. Are we going to fold our hands and continue to
talk? Our youths are hungry hence the leaders use them. We are not all saved so
let us stop the talking and do the work. He asked some salient questions. How
well are you orientating the youths that are working for you? Elections are
coming, what are we doing? Oxygen is life but the oxygen of Nigeria politics is
money. There will come a time when money would not buy certain things. The
problem is all of us. If you are a president, Ooni of Ife, Sultan of Sokoto,
somebody must drive your car. The person that is driving your car has children
at home. How well are you concerned about the welfare of your domestic workers
who cook your food, wash your dress, iron your dress and do all the dirty jobs
for you? How well are you orientating the minds of people who are making life
comfortable for you?
He said that the problem
of this country is bigger than all of us. If you think that only the salary you
are paying your driver is enough, one day he will drive you into the lagoon out
of frustration. He warned leaders that power is not forever. When you leave
your leadership position, your phones will stop rigging. He therefore enjoined all in leadership
positions to instill value in everything they do. He called on all to invest on
Nigeria youths and orientate their minds.
He announced that elections
are coming and we are all talking of one man, one vote. Every Nigeria should
know that man makes money and money is not everything. Money will expire at
some point hence you must have integrity in your character. Nigeria welfare
must count just as the votes must count. Thieves and terrorists live among us.
They are not from heaven or sky. If we are serious enough, we can fish them
out. If we are serious enough we can ostracize them from the society. Let us
tell them that this country belongs to all of us. He implored the leaders to
come together to see how to better the lots of the Nigerian youths. He pledged
that for the rest of his life, he will serve the youths. He analyzed the programs
he has for the youths. He said that we must insist on one man, one vote and
take out the youths off the road.
Leadership is about
stewardship and accountability. Leadership is examination notwithstanding the
sycophants who will be hailing you and telling you lies. Leave that position
you will be abandoned and your phones will stop ringing. A leader should be a
person of character. The problem is not only our leaders but all of us who do
no not invest in our youths. This country belongs to all of us and not only a
category of people. Therefore, the votes must count. He reiterated that
criminals are not faceless people, they live in our midst and we know them. If
we are serious enough, we can fish them out. If we are serious enough, we can
let them know that they do not have a place in this society. Enough of our
ignorant. Let us spend more time to tell them that this nation belongs to each
and every one of us. Let us teach the children what is right and what is wrong.
He implored our leaders to see how to better the lots of the Nigerian youths.
5.
David
Young, US Representative
In his brief remarks, referred
to his peace projects and his visit to Jos and Barkin Ladi where he encountered
two of the most powerful figures in his life. There are critical issues that
the country needs to deal with as we prepare for the 2019 elections. The people
he met in Barkin Ladi are committed to human values and believe that human life
is sacred. We need to protect all people irrespective of ethnic and religious
background. We need to affirm the sanctity of human life. He said that as a
diplomat from the United States of America, he would like to say how they have
been committed as much as they can to speak out against violence and circle of
reprisals. He referred to Mahatma Gandhi, a peace advocate from India who once
said that an eye for an eye made the whole world blind. We must work together
for peace which is fundamental to democracy in the society.
He counseled that as we
prepare for 2019 elections it is very important to focus on electoral integrity
which is the basis of peace that make democracy possible. Those in the United
States are very committed to seeing in Nigeria, a free, fair and credible
elections in the context of peace. The US will be involved in the election
monitoring and to check the results of the votes. US will not take sides in the
coming elections. Jesus said in the Bible, you must love God with all your
heart and you must love your neighbour as you love yourself. The Qur’an says,
none of you is a true believer if you do not love your neighbour as yourself.
We all as people of faith must work for human dignity and peace for our people.
We need to work for integrity and peace that makes democracy possible.
6.
Comrade
Kennedy Iyere, Project Initiator and Convener of “RigNoVote”
Comrade Iyere appreciated
the Royal Fathers and the dignitaries present at the summit. He explained why
he conceived this idea and presented it to His Eminence, Alh (Dr). Muhammad
Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto, President of the Nigeria Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Rev. Dr. Sampson Olasupo Ayokunle,
National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who are the
Co-Chairmen of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). He thought of this
project of “RigNoVote” because
of the pain in his heart. He said that the danger of vote buying started from
his own State, Edo. He said that when they voted in 2016, what happened in
Ekiti happened in Edo State. When he conceived this project, he contacted the
Esu Nuppe, Alhaji Yahaya who came to flag off this project in Edo State. They
succeeded in bringing together all the civil society groups under one umbrella.
The campaign was so strong that even when they had bad election, lives were
still safe. Vote buying was also prevalent in Anambra State. Looking ahead what
we shall witness in 2019, he decided to conceive this idea and he sold it to
our leaders present at the summit. He said that is the reason for the summit to
the glory of God. He thanked everyone present at the summit and wished all
God’s blessing.
7.
Obiageli
K. Ezekwesili
Obiageli started by
saying that the Religious Leaders need special acknowledgement for the
leadership role displayed by being present in an important occasion like this.
She said that she does not care about the size of the audience at important
discussions because she believes in the remnant principle that you do not need
a multitude to solve a problem. You need people who absolutely believe in a
course and who are determined to follow truth in order to solve any problem.
She thanked His Eminence, Alh (Dr). Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of
Sokoto, Rev. Dr. Sampson Olasupo Ayokunle, National President, Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan
Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife, Co-Chair, National Council of Traditional
Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) and the organizers for making her participate in the
summit of “RigNoVote”.
She said that the topic
of this conversation is so important that she needed to start with the story of
two countries that gained their independence about the same time in the 60s.
One country was a country that nobody gave any chance simply because of its
history. It was kicked out of the Malaysia Union. That country was a country governed
by a non-known as Lee Kuan Yew, that country is Singapore. The second country
is a country that has given us a brand that we have not been faithful to and
that country is Nigeria. These two countries have the same political and historical
antecedents having be both colonized by Great Britain at that time. And so these
two countries started the process of post-colonial leadership and governance.
As they governed over the years, what the people do not realize was that at the
beginning in late 60s was that the gross domestic products which is the sum
total of goods and services created in any nation, their Gross Domestic
Products (GDP) per capital, was not so far off from each other. That of
Singapore was in the neighborhood of $236 income per capital and that of
Nigeria was about $96 income per capital. This was in the late 60s following
their independence. By 2017 the income per capital of the two countries are
widely diverged. That of Singapore has become more than $60,000.00 while that
of Nigeria has become $2,177.
On governance, she said
that we are gathered here today because of good governance. The essence of
governance accounts for the divergence in the outcomes of the two countries
that gained their independence about the same time. We are gathered here
because we want good governance. The act of good governance is a process which
is deliberate, intentional and strategic. If all of these are not part of the
ways that we think of our governance, then we can pray all we like and there we
be no difference in it. This is because the God of prayer in the act of
creation gave us the capacity to govern the earth. To be able to do so, God has
given us the faculty to be able to dominate our environment. That is why
societies that understood that give the best to invest in their capacity to do
exactly that. This is not in any way to underrate the power of prayer. The only
thing that will keep us stagnated is to think that the only solution to our
problems is prayer. Even God will tell you that you are wasting your time
because he gave you faculties and you refused to use them.
She narrated her
experience with her class mates when she was in Kennedy School of Governance in
Singapore. No matter the kind of country that you are, the essence of governance
is the quality of life of citizens of any given country. That is if this
quality can be on the upward increase every time. That is what governance does.
Governance is the art of ensuring prosperity and stability of societies and for
making sure that every society is built in a way that opportunities for people
to be the best that they can be with social provisions given.
She called on the Sultan
to call on a bridge of the governance gap. She said that this is the longest
time democracy has survived in Nigeria without military coup. The previous two
circles of democracy were an average of five and a half years. It was not
sufficient to enable us build the institutions of governance. So we always
truncated the process of governance. Ultimately, 1999 came and we have uninterrupted
democracy for close to 20 years. However, the Nigerian democratic history can
change fundamentally in 2019. She believed that the traditional and religious
leaders, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the citizens in the summit
can change it. She said that is why this gathering is important. It only took a
number of people to say enough is enough and enough became enough. Can enough
become enough in our society? That is
what the Traditional and Religious institutions are saying.
She said that she had a
Professor at Harvard who always said that it is not just leadership that changes
the society but technical leadership. Technical leadership is just managerial.
It calls for the capacity to take an engineering solution and put it together
but when it comes to adopting the problems of society, we need the leadership
that goes to the core of the morality of the society. This goes to the
fundamental issues and values of the society. She said that institutions with
values matter because there can be no institutions without values. If the two
institutions can come together to say enough is enough to electoral fraud, then
we know we are going somewhere. She is happy today because she could see a
prospect in the 2019 election with this summit. We should realize that
population is a double edge sword. Nigeria is now the 13th country
in the global index of fragile States. To move on, we must get good governance.
No body must stand in the way of getting good governance. Leadership is
everything and we must fix the leadership gap with democracy which is better
than any other system of government. We need a well-managed democracy that
allows freedom to grow a society that is strong and stable. Nigeria is greater
than anyone of us.
She said that the tenants
and moral circle of democracy must be government of the people for the people.
Democracy gives the citizens inalienable rights to be able to vote for the
leaders that they desire to govern them because they agree with the vision of
those leaders. Our present democracy is
equivalence of a coup d’état. Should this be so? It should not be so! A
civilian coup in a democratic government where citizens carry out a coup
d’état. That one percent of the citizens in the name of political class can
execute a coup against a country at any time they decide is totally
reprehensible and unacceptable. We must come
against it and say this is not the society we voted for. Nigerians have voted
for democracy. We must not allow any group of people to diminish the
credentials of our own democracy by any act of omission or commission.
She said that the Sultan
may not have known that she had put together her team that made him and John
Cardinal Onaiyekan as Co-Chairmen of the Nigeria inter-religious Council (NIREC)
to become their voices for malaria in the country. She said as Vice President
at the world bank, they did not like how the society was reacting to malaria as
if it was a normal thing but malaria caused the country 2% of its GDP every
year. This is significant. This is why to the extent that the traditional and
religious leaders have decided that the moral fabric of our society has to
change, we are beginning to make progress. She begged that these institutions
should not slack in their commitment to this.
She said that election
malpractice is not unique to Nigeria. It used to happen in the USA in the early
days of their democracy but they quickly nip it in the bud. They said if a few
people can manipulate their democracy, then it would no longer be consistent
with the American constitution that says that all men and women are created
equal. So they never wanted anything to impeach their democracy. They tackle it
through effective legislation to deal with malpractices in election process.
She said that in Nigeria, we need the voices of the traditional and religious
leaders to punish people that are engaged in electoral malpractices.
She expressed optimism
that if Muslims and Christians can come together to make democracy work, there
will be a great difference and the political leaders will do the needful. In
conclusion she moved that those who were buying and selling votes in Ekiti
election should be prosecuted. Otherwise, what you have is not legitimacy of
mandate. We must tell the world that this is not how we are. To tell the
people, this is not how we do our things is a way of changing the people. We
must find a way to protect the legacy of our children. She calls on all to use
modern technology and vote for leaders with character, competence and capacity
to vote out leaders who have behaved like locust who do not build but only
destroy. She said that we have had locust leadership all these years in
Nigeria. Now is the time to conquered our problems! Now is the time to bring
about real and true change. She enjoined Nigerians to get out their PVC and
ensure that the votes count.
8.
Waheed
Odusule, President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
Waheed appreciated all
the dignitaries in the summit. He said that as journalists they report events
and situations the way they are. From the media point of view, Nigeria is not
all that bad. On the elections in Ekiti, he referred to a message he received commending
journalists for the coverage of the Ekiti elections. In the past, there were
different stories of the same events in different newspapers. Today the
journalists have told themselves that as journalists they must maintain the
integrity of Nigeria. The Journalists
would not write Nigeria to crisis just because they want to report. In the last
one year, the NUJ has been at the forefront of the campaign against hate speech
and fake news. But that was what transpired in the election at Ekiti. The
Journalists have decided to bring out the best in our country. Though not
protecting the bad news, the journalists try to project the good things for the
world to see.
He called on each and every
one of us to look inward and see what is our own contribution to this country. He
said that we must examine ourselves to see where we have erred and what we have
done to correct ourselves. If teachers would sit down and correct themselves,
then students would graduate without giving up anything. If soldiers do their
work, then there will be no security challenges. The effect of the fight
between the legislative and executive on the society is disastrous. He asked
why the arms of government cannot work together. Why can’t our leaders work
together? Why can’t they forget about their party differences? Today, when you
hear the National Assembly talking, you begin to wonder whether they are
talking about this country Nigeria.
He said that until we
learn to think Nigeria and until we learn to work together as Nigerians, nothing
will work in this country. Today, we have in this gathering Traditional Rulers
and Religious leaders but the third leg of the tripod is not here, that is the
politicians. He accused the traditional rulers, religious leaders and the
politicians as the ones causing problems in this country. He said that as
Journalist, they do not create events, they report events but they have gone a
step further to resolve that they would no longer report the misbehaviors of the
Political, Traditional and Religious leaders. These three groups of leaders
should mine what they say in the political rallies, Church pulpits and pulpits
in the Mosque. On the last day, the religious leaders will answer for what they
have told their followers in their sermons. The Religious leaders will account
for the power that God gave to them to lead the people. He enjoined us to play
our own role in making Nigeria what it should be.
9.
Unveiling
of “Rig No Vote 2019 Campaign”
This unveiling commenced
the tracking and anti-illegality initiative. It is hoped that every Nigerian
will cooperate with NIREC and the stakeholders of this project to grow a better
Nigeria through credible elections. This project should be for all Nigerians
who value life, good governance and he progress of Nigeria go be an advanced country.
10. Hajia Halima Jibrile, President of (FOMWAN)
Hajia Halima Jibrile, the
President of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) appreciated
the Traditional and Religious leaders and congratulated the initiators of this
program for opening up this important conversation to sensitize Nigerians on
the integrity of elections. She said that as mothers, the women uphold the integrity
of Nigeria to pray a leading role in the comity of nations. She said that our
diversity is not an accident. God has created us into tribes and nations to
build a world which protect the vulnerable and nurture mankind. We must all
rise to this challenge with a true sense of responsibility. We submit that we
must take the all-important step of conducting free and fair elections as a
first step to show that we are a nation with integrity.
She said that religion
itself is not anti-progressive. In the words of Julius Casablanca, religion is
never the problem, it is the people who use it to gain power. The whole essence
of religion is to promote the common good and encourage mankind to live a life
of accountability to God and fellow human beings to prepare for life in this
world and hereafter. Religious leaders in particular has a great role to play
to promote peace and social cohesion as commanders of their different groups,
congregations and faith communities. As lovers of this nation, we dare to
interrogate and encourage actions and attitudes that are conducive to liberal
democracy that promote peace, actions that encourage our congregations to
participate in governance and bring about development. She said that as mothers
of the nation, they submit that politics in Nigeria is yet to address
development, education, science, technology, security and sustainable
development. Women must demand from politicians the account on how they deliver
on their mandate. When you vote you participate in the construction of a
context. Women must say no to politics of terrorism, lying and sugar coated
which is exploitative, subjugating and insult our integrity and dignity as
productive mothers of Nigeria nation who contribute constructively to the
economy.
The women submit that all
women must say no to politics of violence, hate speeches and use of our
children as political thugs. She said that we have no idea where this would lead
us. Women and children are those who bear the pain as widows, orphans and
refugees in their own country with serious dislocations for life. As mothers,
she wants all to reflect on the consequences of the internal religious
conflicts. We cannot put a price tag on the lives that are lost or the women
that are raped because of the psychological trauma resulting from conflicts.
Some women who are raped have to live with HIV all their lives and those
wounded have to live with disabilities all their lives. The consequences of
violence go on long after you have put down the guns. This leads to despair and
loss of hope for the future. This leads to acrimony to generations yet unborn.
She appealed to all in the summit to be an ambassador of peace and to
consciously and deliberately build bridges of peace across families, social,
political and religious divides. This is a responsibility we owe ourselves, our
nation, the next generation and to God our Creator. To do the reverse is to betray humanity. She
concluded by thanking the organizers for this opportunity.
11. Conclusion
NIREC in collaboration
with those who initiated the “Rig No
Vote 2019 Campaign” implore all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic and
religious divides to join hands in implementing the noble resolution of this
summit to grow a better Nigeria through credible elections that would give
credible leaders that Nigeria has lacked for too long. Please join us to make a
difference! Nigeria will rise again like all the developed nations in the
world.
Rev. Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua
Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja &
Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC)
Blog: www.omonokhua.blogspot.com
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