A coalition of Christian youth operating under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN (Youth Wing) have admonished Nigerians to abstain from violence and killing in the year 2023.
The group stated that the election was an unassailable litmus test for Nigeria’s unity.
The group also criticized politicians for demeaning their political rivals, stating that the country couldn’t currently afford conflict.
YOWICAN cautioned that all political parties and candidates in Nigeria were free to campaign in any state, zone, or area of their choosing.
In August, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s supporters, including organisations and individuals, were warned to stay away from the South East zone by Igbo youths operating under the aegis of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders.
While earlier this week during a solidarity walk organized for Tinubu in Lagos it was reported that the deputy governor of Lagos State, Babafemi Hamzat, said that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should return to his state and campaign there adding that Obi is running for office in Lagos after “they developed and stabilized” the South-West state.
Belusochukwu Enwere, the national chairperson of YOWICAN, responded to these utterances said that elections should not be won by violence.
He said, “Every political party in Nigeria has right to campaign in an state, zone or region of their choice without restriction. Nigeria cannot afford to enter into any war because of selfish individuals and groups that earns its livelihood through violence.
“The 2023 election is a litmus test for Nigeria’s unity and we cannot trade it for anything. Nigerians must be allowed to choose who they want to lead them without intimidation and harassment.
“While praying for a peaceful election, I call on security agencies, to arrest and prosecute persons or groups instigating violence during and after this electioneering period. This measure is to ensure peace and tranquility in Nigeria.”
