Peace Commission Works Towards Averting Election Violence

Kaduna Peace Commission is collaborating with the United Nations to sensitise the electorates to avoid a repeat of the violence that erupted in the state after the 2011 elections.

The Executive Vice chairman of the commission, Priscilla Ankut, revealed this on Wednesday at the opening of a High Level Dialogue Forum on Peaceful Elections in Kaduna State.

Ankut explained that the dialogue was organized to bring together key stakeholders to commit themselves to peaceful conduct during the elections, in view of the state’s history of election violence.

She noted that the state is still rated as potentials flash point as the general elections approaches, but said the commission “is putting all mechanisms in place to ensure that elections violence doesn’t repeat itself in the state.”

According to her, although the state’s population is mainly composed of the youths, but lack adequate opportunities has made them vulnerable to manipulation by selfish interests.

She however assured that the peace commission would continue to manage conflicts and ensure that the narrative of violence is changed and harmonious co-existence prevail.

The vice chairman stressed that the peace commission has been meeting with various stakeholders towards peace building by engaging multiple actors.

According to her, the engagement facilitated the signing of a peace accord by all political party candidates, who agreed to avoid thuggery and hate speeches.

Ankut disclosed that the commission had set up an election monitoring committee consisting of party leaders and other stakeholders to monitor the conduct of campaigns.

She cautioned religious leaders to avoid partisanship, and encourage their congregations to embrace peaceful conduct during the elections.