From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
An NGO, the South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO), has launched “Zero Election Violence” campaign aimed at ensuring hitch-free in the 2023 general elections.
At the launch yesterday in Enugu,the Executive Director. SSDO, Dr Stanley Ilechukwu, said that the campaign was to endear the politicians and stakeholders to imbibe peace and non-violent campaigns geared towards the elections.
He said the campaign which was equally launched in various social media platforms is tame youths to avoid being used for violence-oriented purposes.
According to him, the campaign is meant to educate and sensitise the electorate on the need to shun all forms of electoral violence.
His words,“We shall create and institutionalise a unique #ZeroElectionViolence hand symbol and popularise the hashtag – #ZeroElectionViolence across all social media platforms.
“We will end the campaign with a mega rally and press briefing as well as we believe that the widely circulated campaign will have a well-rounded effect,” he said.
He said that the overall objective of the campaign “is to convey the #ZeroElectionViolence message through an innovative symbol and other creative channels”.
He disclosed the intention of his NGO to collaborate with the traditional media in reaching out to the public through radio jingles, social influencers, and celebrity endorsements.
He stated.“We believe strongly that by the end of the project (campaign), there will be a sharp decline in youth participation in electoral violence and increased awareness of the electorate on the need to embrace peaceful conduct,” he said.
“As the 2023 election cycle draws near, the prospects of a violent contest loom, especially in the face of a battle for survival between the major political parties.
“Electoral seasons more than anytime else reveals the fragility and soft underbelly of the Nigerian state”.
Ilechukwu noted that over the years, the bitter struggle for power by the elites had resulted in violence, loss of lives, and properties in different election cycles.
He said that violence had been weaponised as a tool to neutralise opponents, destabilise voters and the opposition’s performance at the polls.
“The country’s dire economic situation, inequality, perceived injustice, and high youth unemployment have made it easy for people, especially youths, to become tools to cause mayhem for these politicians at the promise of a taste of power or a better life.
“After over 23 years of uninterrupted democratic government in Nigeria, concern for the consolidation of democracy remains among Nigerians. And electoral violence is one of the significant factors affecting the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria,” he added.
