Elections do not have to be violent

I congratulate Nigerians for the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections. But I must say that the violence in parts of the country were totally unnecessary. It is one thing to support a particular candidate and vote for him, but muzzling others to ensure that they vote for an individual’s preferred candidate is wrong. What […]

I congratulate Nigerians for the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections. But I must say that the violence in parts of the country were totally unnecessary. It is one thing to support a particular candidate and vote for him, but muzzling others to ensure that they vote for an individual’s preferred candidate is wrong.

What happened in Rivers State and parts of Lagos was uncalled for. The violence in Kofar Local Government Area of Kano, just hours to the elections, was most unfortunate, considering that cars and houses were destroyed. Now, who pays for that destruction? People cannot toil for four years and have all they have worked for destroyed just because of elections. And if indeed the politicians are seeking the offices for public service, why would they allow anyone to foment trouble on their behalf.

The worst part is that whenever there is violence, the politician and members of his immediate family are safe.

The question then is: Why do people, especially the youth, see a need to fight for any politician? In the just concluded elections, many of the contestants were already elected officers; so why wouldn’t their work speak for them? And for the newcomers, their manifestoes should have done the talking and fighting for them. Now, those who died have gone and those who won would occupy their seats.

The losers are always the fighters, and the earlier those who engage in such realise that, the better for them. In a week’s time, Nigerians will be returning to the polls to elect governors and members of the state Houses of Assembly.

Please we do not need a repeat of what happened in Rivers, Lagos and some parts of Kogi State. People should comport themselves and choose people who they believe in. It does not have to be a war.

I hope we get to a point where all eligible voters realise that they are not doing themselves any good by engaging in violence during elections. Voter education should continue so that people can be more aware.

 

Tony Horsefall wrote from Rumuola, Port Harcourt.