From Rose Ejembi and Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a non-partisan group, Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has organised an election sensitisation exercise in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, with a charge on the people to embrace religious and ethnic tolerance and elect leaders that will move the northern region and the country forward. The conference has as theme, “Politics of Sentiments: A critical factor militating development of democracy in Nigeria” and a sub-theme, “Religion and ethnic tolerance: P panacea to Nigeria’s survival as a nation.”
The organisers said the conference was to help citizens retrace their steps and refocus their energies in the delicate task of nation building to which the organisation is committed to achieve.
National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Jamilu Charanchi stated that in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, like Nigeria, faced with increasing crisis of confidence engendered by years of frustrations and disappointments, the temptation to seek refuge “in the comparatively safe heaven of ethnicity and religion is almost obligatory.”
He maintained that when ethnic and religious intolerance replaces understanding, the society could not prosper. Charanchi said that the North and indeed the whole of Nigeria’s protracted social problems and conflicts found their origin in the misplacement of religious, ethnic and cultural values of the people. He said the group would not allow the future of the region and that of the children yet unborn to be jeopardised by a few.
The group’s Director of political affairs, Muhammed Muhammed, said the essence of the conference was to mobilise relevant stakeholders to form a united force irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliation to elect people who can deliver quality leadership. Earlier, the state coordinator, Bernard Ekwote had expressed appreciation to participants and tasked them to spread the message of the conference to others so as to have very peaceful general elections next year.