2015: Group Warns Politicians Against Divisive Politicking

2015 pollsA coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of Rally for a United Nigeria, RUN, has urged Nigerians to join a rally to counter hate speeches by Nigerian politicians ahead of the 2015 general elections.

In a press Statement signed by its organisers, RUN stressed the need to mobilize country men and women across the federation to sign up for hate-speech free and violence-free elections.

The group is led by Cynthia Mbamalu, Yemi Adamolekun, YZ Yau, and Gloria Mabeima.

RUN said there is need to demand that political candidates move Nigeria forward as a united country and not further polarise the country as elections draw near.

“We live in challenging times in Nigeria and in the build-up to the forthcoming general elections; the political class appears to have increased the tempo of divisive politicking”, the statement said. “We are much more than the existing fault lines we are a people united by common sufferings”.

The group also decried the ongoing insurgency in the northeast and pockets of communal clashes in other parts, stating that the crises have resulted in alarming carnage and a humanitarian crisis comparable only with the Nigerian civil war.

RUN, therefore, called on Nigerians to join in rallying for a united country in the period leading to and after the general elections in February 2015.

“We have to tell our politicians that Nigeria belongs to all of us and we cannot afford to stand-by and watch them destroy our common heritage.

“Our tools of engagement will include research, advocacy, mobilization and capacity strengthening. Nigeria and Nigerians will be our sole focus”, it said.