The Catholic Church in Nigeria has raised an alarm of the strong possibility of outbreak of violence during the forthcoming February general elections. It has therefore urged churches and mosques across the country to prepare for the attendant humanitarian crisis.
Executive Secretary, Caritas Nigeria, the relief and development agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and national secretary, Justice Development and Peace Committee of the Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, stated this on Friday.
Rev. Bassey said that there are several forms of humanitarian crises already brewing in Nigeria; citing the silent Sahel food crisis affecting the food and nutrition needs of those states in the Sahel region like Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe etc; the post-flood humanitarian crisis, with many still to recover their livelihoods even after billions of naira were collected and the potential Niger Delta crisis which he said could erupt anytime, “and there is the mother of all humanitarian crises caused by Boko Haram insurgency.”
The clerics said that on top of all these are the potential dangers and humanitarian emergencies that may arise because of the already charged presidential elections.
“From our discussions with our partners in some parts of the country, the 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.”
Consequently, Rev. Fr. Bassey said that at a contingency planning meeting for possible elections violence attended by JDPC representatives from volatile states, the group resolved that Church and Mosque leaders should intensify sensitization of their members to avoid violence whatever the outcome of the elections and that clergymen themselves must avoid being inciting and partisan during their sermons.
It urged clergymen to admonish their members against inciting and abusive language in the social media; traditional leaders should hold meetings with youth leaders on the need for peaceful conduct during and after the elections and that parents and elderly relatives should call their wards and warn them not to be used as instruments of violence by politicians
It also resolved 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
It said 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
However, in the case of a possible outbreak of violence, it advised citizens in volatile places to stock essential commodities, 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.
After voting, it said that 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.
It advised churches and mosques to 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 IDPs situation.
“After more than four years of a humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram we should be more proficient in handling these things but government is still dropping items and going away. Up till now no proper camps.
“Finally, we advise Nigerians to know that politicians are all the same. If APC wins, everyone will move there and if PDP wins, they will move back to PDP, so it is not worth it destroying property and or especially destroying lives just because one set of politicians have lost elections,” it said.
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