Insecurity biggest threat to 2023 general elections, says CAN, IDFP

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle Olasupo, said on Monday, that it’s glaring that the much talked about 2023 general elections might not hold as planned due to rising insecurity across the country.

Similarly, the co-chairman, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP), Alhaji Kunle Sanni, who corroborated the position of the CAN President, raised questions about effect of huge money expended for arms procurement in response to the insecurity across the country.

Both religious leaders spoke in Abuja, at the Inclusive Security Dialogue Meeting jointly organized by Global Peace Foundation and Vision Africa, towards social cohesion, sustainable peace and security in Nigeria.

They were worried and concerned that the political and socioeconomic destiny of Nigeria was fast nosediving, hence the need to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians to make right electoral choice when the opportunity comes next year.

CAN President said: “If insecurity persists unabated, there will be no election in 2023. Politicians move around, campaign and make all manner of promises without taking into cognizance, the security state of the nation.

“The way things are going now, bandits and other non-state actors might overwhelm us before 2023. They are moving from one level of sophistication and recklessness to another, and unfortunately, our security agents are becoming overwhelmed. There are indications that the intelligence gathering of the bandits seem to be higher than that of the State actors.”

He, thus, suggested that query be issued to Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to explain how firearms are being smuggled into the country by unlicensed people.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the new electoral act, but reminded him that the electoral act alone cannot guarantee free, fair and credible elections that would be acceptable to the majority of the people.

He charged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to be sincere in its approach to the forthcoming elections, demanding a level playing ground for all interested persons, while security agents are not used for intimidation, thereby, giving someone an edge.

He advocated a home-grown democracy that recognize the complexities of Nigeria, and ensure that resources are fairly distributed. “The six geopolitical zones should be programmed into the leadership of this nation so everybody will have sense of belonging.

“Nobody wants to play the role of second fiddle in our democracy which should be little different from that of the US being a homogeneous country as against Nigeria that is different with about 500 ethnic nations.”

Meanwhile, the co-chairman of IDFP, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, in his remarks, suggested a decisive action against the bandits that have been killing and maiming people.

He said: “Many people have been arrested for crime of kidnapping and banditry over the years, but none has been successfully prosecuted and jailed to serve as deterrent to others nursing the idea of crime.”

He concluded that the government has lost the battle against bandits, and suggested that they should resign and make way for more competent persons to pilot the affairs of Nigeria.

President, Vision Africa, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, in his remarks, concluded that Nigeria cannot conduct any meaningful election with the level of insecurity, poverty and unemployment being witnessed in the country.

“The circulation of small arms and light weapons is contributing to the security challenge we have today. So, we must de-escalate tension and invest our time in promoting a culture of peace and not that of violence.

“It has become difficult to travel round the country due to insecurity. Fortified walls and highly mechanized gates no longer protect the elite anymore. Faith leaders and traditional rulers are kidnapped, and some even killed.

“Our police stations are barely occupied as officers take cover for their lives, because they are ill-equipped to take on, or confront the opposition. What then is the fate of the poor and unprotected man on the streets – no food, no means of income, and no security.”