PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Nigeria: Catholic Church to deploy 4,889 observers during Nigerian polls
Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - The Catholic Church has said it will deploy 4,889 observers to 23 States for the 14 February, 2015, general elections in Nigeria, according to the online Premium Times.
It said that this indication was given Friday by the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, during a press briefing in Abuja, the Nigerian federal capital city, where he expressed fears of a possible outbreak of violence during the exercise.
Bassey, who also coordinates the JDPC (Justice Development and Peace Committee) groups within the country, said fears of a possible election-related violence stemmed from what he called "several forms of humanitarian crises already brewing in Nigeria.
"There is the silent Sahel food crisis affecting the food and nutrition needs of those states in the Sahel region like Sokoto, Kebbi and Yobe; there is the post-flood humanitarian crisis, with many still to recover their livelihoods even after billions of naira were collected; there is the potential Niger Delta crisis which could erupt anytime, and there is the mother of all humanitarian crises caused by Boko Haram which has led to the greatest displacements and miseries since the Nigerian civil war.
"On top of all these are the potential dangers and humanitarian emergencies that may arise because of the already-charged presidential elections."
Bassey said: "From our discussions with our partners in some parts of the country, certain towns and cities are already so charged that potentially lives and properties are not safe, depending on the outcome of the elections.
"It does appear that a predetermined outcome for the elections is demanded by some groups that no matter how free and fair it is, if it does not suit them, they would resort to violence that could lead to loss of lives."
According to Bassey, his organization, at a Contingency Planning meeting for possible elections violence attended by JDPC representatives from volatile states, has made a number of recommendations and preventive measures.
The measures are 1. that Church and Mosque leaders should intensify sensitization of their members to avoid violence whatever the outcome of the elections;
* that Clergymen must avoid being inciting and partisan in their sermons;
* that Clergymen should admonish their members against inciting and abusive language in the social media;
* that Traditional leaders should hold meetings with youth leaders on the need for a peaceful conduct during and after the elections;
* that Parents and elderly relatives should call their wards and warn them not to be used as instruments of violence by politicians;
* that Citizens should be aware that during voting there will be a card reader that would match the thump print on the permanent voter card with that of the holder; it is therefore useless to collect other people’s voter cards;
* that Citizens should not rely on the assurances of security agencies alone, as the scale of violence, if it happens, may overwhelm their capacity, and therefore must be extra vigilant;
* that Citizens must pray against violence, saying "On this note the JDPCs will be holding prayer rallies across five geo-political zones, except for the North East."
Bassey said, however, that in the case of a possible outbreak of violence "we advise that, among things, Citizens in volatile places should stock essential commodities in case shops are not open for days;
* that Citizens should by now make arrangements for safe havens in case they have to escape from their homes; and those who can, should move their families from volatile areas, as the right to life is stronger than the right to vote;
* that after voting, although they could stay back to observe the counting, we advise ordinary citizens in volatile places to go home and allow politicians to sort themselves out;
* that churches and mosques should set aside some funds to deal with possible humanitarian crises that may arise, to complement government effort which often times is inadequate and therefore unreliable; especially with the experience of the current Internally Displaced Persons situation."
He said that after more than four years of a humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram "we should be more proficient in handling these kinds of crisis.
Caritas Nigeria is the relief and development agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria while Justice Development and Peace Committee at the national level is the advocacy organ of the Conference.
-0- PANA VAO 1Feb2015
It said that this indication was given Friday by the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, during a press briefing in Abuja, the Nigerian federal capital city, where he expressed fears of a possible outbreak of violence during the exercise.
Bassey, who also coordinates the JDPC (Justice Development and Peace Committee) groups within the country, said fears of a possible election-related violence stemmed from what he called "several forms of humanitarian crises already brewing in Nigeria.
"There is the silent Sahel food crisis affecting the food and nutrition needs of those states in the Sahel region like Sokoto, Kebbi and Yobe; there is the post-flood humanitarian crisis, with many still to recover their livelihoods even after billions of naira were collected; there is the potential Niger Delta crisis which could erupt anytime, and there is the mother of all humanitarian crises caused by Boko Haram which has led to the greatest displacements and miseries since the Nigerian civil war.
"On top of all these are the potential dangers and humanitarian emergencies that may arise because of the already-charged presidential elections."
Bassey said: "From our discussions with our partners in some parts of the country, certain towns and cities are already so charged that potentially lives and properties are not safe, depending on the outcome of the elections.
"It does appear that a predetermined outcome for the elections is demanded by some groups that no matter how free and fair it is, if it does not suit them, they would resort to violence that could lead to loss of lives."
According to Bassey, his organization, at a Contingency Planning meeting for possible elections violence attended by JDPC representatives from volatile states, has made a number of recommendations and preventive measures.
The measures are 1. that Church and Mosque leaders should intensify sensitization of their members to avoid violence whatever the outcome of the elections;
* that Clergymen must avoid being inciting and partisan in their sermons;
* that Clergymen should admonish their members against inciting and abusive language in the social media;
* that Traditional leaders should hold meetings with youth leaders on the need for a peaceful conduct during and after the elections;
* that Parents and elderly relatives should call their wards and warn them not to be used as instruments of violence by politicians;
* that Citizens should be aware that during voting there will be a card reader that would match the thump print on the permanent voter card with that of the holder; it is therefore useless to collect other people’s voter cards;
* that Citizens should not rely on the assurances of security agencies alone, as the scale of violence, if it happens, may overwhelm their capacity, and therefore must be extra vigilant;
* that Citizens must pray against violence, saying "On this note the JDPCs will be holding prayer rallies across five geo-political zones, except for the North East."
Bassey said, however, that in the case of a possible outbreak of violence "we advise that, among things, Citizens in volatile places should stock essential commodities in case shops are not open for days;
* that Citizens should by now make arrangements for safe havens in case they have to escape from their homes; and those who can, should move their families from volatile areas, as the right to life is stronger than the right to vote;
* that after voting, although they could stay back to observe the counting, we advise ordinary citizens in volatile places to go home and allow politicians to sort themselves out;
* that churches and mosques should set aside some funds to deal with possible humanitarian crises that may arise, to complement government effort which often times is inadequate and therefore unreliable; especially with the experience of the current Internally Displaced Persons situation."
He said that after more than four years of a humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram "we should be more proficient in handling these kinds of crisis.
Caritas Nigeria is the relief and development agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria while Justice Development and Peace Committee at the national level is the advocacy organ of the Conference.
-0- PANA VAO 1Feb2015
