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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Two days to the presidential election in Nigeria, a religious organization, Obey The Macedonia Call (OTMC), has asked Nigerians to prayerfully approach the coming elections and also embrace the wisdom that is better than weapons of war, using it to turn the 2023 elections into a stepping stone for nation building.
The organisation said many fathers and patriots of old knew that this sensitive moment in Nigeria’s history will come when one generation would have to take decision on behalf of the future of the rest of the country.
A statement jointly endorsed by Pastors Tunde Bakare, Alfred Ohiani, Sam and Nike Adeyemi, John Hayab, Taiwo Odukoya, Wale Adefarasin, and Ayo Ogunyemi, acknowledged that Nigeria is faced with the decision to embrace peace, to bond in love or surrender to the inherited forces of disintegration at a terrible cost.
The statement further noted: “We have to examined all the contributing factors and arrive at a simple solution that will be the game-changer. Opinions will always differ on how things should be done in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-generational country like ours. More so when the trauma of violent past and painful experiences have never been healed.
“Yet, the truth is that average Nigerian citizen is peace-loving, trusting and patient. So, why can’t we rise beyond the engineered divisions and stress to deploy the creative African advantage that defines our heritage?.
‘It is a known fact that it takes an entire community to bring up a child in Africa because we, left to ourselves, are our brothers’ keepers and God-fearing people, not to mention our natural tribal masteries of non-violent communication and the use of proverbs in settling all disputes.
“In order to de-escalate the present tensions, we need to consider the fact that most of us mean well. In a sense, we are all victims of history, from the president to the peasant. Our greatest problems are systemic in nature, and we must not allow anyone to lead us on a self-destructive path.”
The organization, thus challenged Nigerians to adhere to instructions and embrace their God-given African heritage to become an agent of peace. “Nigerians should cool down, lower their voices and embrace non-violent communication with proverbs since it is better to jaw-jaw than war-war.
“Also, let’s meet with others in the neighbourhoods and resident associations to agree on strategies to keep streets peaceful and safe for children. Let each household store essential food items that would last a few days and encourage the rationing and sharing of all resources within neighbourhood clusters.”
OTMC, thus, suggested that Nigerians should deliberately isolate the mischief makers in any community by using the tokens of peace to mark all households of peace, while appealing to matriarchs and parents who can speak directly into the hearts of the wayward ones to do so.
It added: “It is imperative that we make and keep the peace throughout Nigeria in the coming election season, while we work in cooperation with Nigerians and well-wishers in the diaspora who are praying and offering their support for the peaceful conduct of elections.”
