Isiyaku Ahmed
The Kano Peace Committee (KPC) has cautioned politicians that abusive, slanderous, or use of uncouth language or statements likely to provoke violent reactions or emotions must not be used during political campaigns.
The Co-chair KPC, Rt. Rv. Dr. John Namaza Niyiring gave the warning in his speech at an interactive meeting with Heads of Media Organizations on (HMO) Monday in Kano.
The interactive meeting was aimed at ensuring Kano state remains safe and secured, before, during, and after the 2023 general elections.
Rev. Niyiring said: “We have unfortunately started observing signals that politicians might work against the peaceful conduct of the elections through provocative and inciting statements that could elicit violent conflict between the supporters of different political parties.
“We wish to strongly advise political parties to study and pay attention to the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, the Police Act, and the Public Order Act and ensure compliance to have peaceful conduct of all political campaigns, rallies, and processions.”
The KPC Co-chair also called on the HOM to prevail on the political happenings in Kano, by x – raying information emanating from the politicians to ensure that, all pre-elections campaign activities and elections exercises are conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
He said: “We have also lined up activities at the KPC which includes: engagement with the leadership of all the political parties, the candidates seeking for elective positions in Kano, especially those that are contesting for the Governorship seat.”
Adding that before the 2023 general elections, the KPC will facilitate the signing of a Peace Accord, and peace-building sensitization activities across the state.
While seeking the cooperation and partnership of the HMOs to ensure peace remains in Kano State, Rev Niyiring, on behalf of the second co-chair Prof. Ibrahim H. Umar thanked all the key stakeholders for their support.
In his brief remarks, the second Co-chair, Emeritus Prof. Ibrahim H. Umar, who was represented by Alh. Aliyu Umar Harazumi, Dan Amar reminded politicians that Kano is a peace-loving state.
“It is because of the important role the media plays in information dissemination and its contribution to peacebuilding that the KPC felt it very important to host this meeting.
“The Emir of Kano, HRH, Alh Aminu Ado Bayero seeks your (HMO) cooperation to promote peace by investigating all reports or information, especially those that contain hate and dangerous speeches before broadcast or publication,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Kano Council Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Ibrahim Abbas said peace is priceless.
He traced the involvement of journalists and the media in promoting peace to the struggle for independence and the return to democracy in the country.
“Therefore, it is highly unethical for any media organization to project violence in order to distort the peaceful atmosphere of any society,” he said.
The NUJ Chairman then calls on the media organizations in the state to uphold the professional code of ethics in their reportage of political campaigns and the coverage of the 2023 general elections.
Earlier, the HMO in Kano, Prince Daniel Aboki who was represented by the Head of the Station, Channel TV, Abubakar Salihu assured of the commitment of media organizations in partnering with the KPC to promote peace and stability through their reportage.
The event also had a presentation on ‘the role Kano media organizations can play to contribute towards promoting peace to ensure violence-free electioneering campaign activities before, during, and after the 2023 general elections by the Chairman Premier Radio, Malam Abba Dabo who was represented by Nuhu Tahir.
And, the Policy Advisor, USAID-SCALE, Abdulsalam Badamasi gave an overview of USAID-SCALE Programs in Nigeria.
The meeting was supported by USAID-SCALE –Palladium, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC), and the National Broadcasting Commission.
KPC is an affiliate of the National Peace Committee established to facilitate peace especially before, during, and after elections.
