By Thompson Yamput
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Search for Common Ground Nigeria (SFCG), has appealed to stakeholders to timely address all early signs of crisis and violence that might affect Kogi Nov 11 Governorship election.
Hajiya Fatima Madaki, SFCG Head of National Projects, made the appeal during a Dialogue With Stakeholders at Saatof Hotel and Suites, Lokoja on Monday.
Madaki said what happened in Kogi in the past, when innocent lives were lost due to election violence and crises, “should not be allow to repeat itself this time around.”
“This is why we are calling on all the stakeholders in Kogi to wake up to all the early signs and warnings and address them squarely to prevent any such reoccurrence come Nov. 11.
“As an NGO, SFCG is working to end violent conflicts and build healthy, safe and just societies in Nigeria and 33 other countries around the world.
“This meeting is aimed at mitigating Hate Speech, during electioneering campaigns and as well, address issues of fake news, misinformation and disinformation that could effect the smooth conduct of the election, ” she said.
She said that the organization was involved in the seven off-circle governorship elections in the country with a view to ensuring peace at all levels of the process
According to her, “We have a joint initiative of strategic religious engagement that is being implemented in plateau and Kaduna with religious leaders to address issues around freedom of religion and beliefs.”
Earlier, SFCG Project Coordinator, Mr Perry Tukuwei, who spoke on “Sustaining Electoral Engagements for Democracy Project” said the NGO was primarily in the state to partner relevant stakeholders to ensure rancour free conduct of the Nov 11 Governorship election.
“Our intervention will be in the areas of Election Conflict Dynamics and proffering solutions to them with issues of Misinformation, Hate Speech and mitigation strategies,” he said.
Mr Tosin Adebayo, a consultant with the SFCG on Early Warning and Early Response Systems (EWER), underscored the need to identify early warning signals of electoral violence or other malpractices and address them before Nov 11.
Adebayo said the SFCG had embarked on mapping of the state to enable coordinated engagement of stakeholders including security agencies in addressing identified triggers of conflicts before they metamorphose into electoral violence. NAN
