2019: Likelihood of violence my biggest challenge — El-Rufai
Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai says his biggest challenge is the likelihood of violence during campaign and after the polls.
The governor also said his administration would prosecute all those threatening peace in the state.
Speaking at a summit towards peaceful 2019 general elections in Kaduna organised by Kaduna State Peace Commission, ElRufai said his party was committed to peaceful elections in the state.
He said it was his view as candidate of the All Progressives Congress that there would be no violence at all if the Independent National Electoral Commissioner “conducts credible elections” in 2019 like it did in Osun State recently “because it is rigging that leads to violence.”
“It was the massive rigging of election in 2011 that led to widespread violence at that time and Kaduna state lost over 800 lives...I want to tell you all those that want to be governor, it is not an easy job. It is just that when I look at some of those that want to be governor and what they have done to the state in the past, I feel I have a duty to protect the state and so many people of the state from the evil of the past.
“Now, as a governor of the state, the biggest challenge we have as state government in Kaduna state is the likelihood of violence during campaign and election day. Most of the violence that occurred in this state was post election violence.
“Elections and campaign in Kaduna state have generally been peaceful; it is after the results are announced that we have instances of violence. Politicians have been engaging in hate speeches and they have been encouraging others to engage on social media, incitement, malicious falsehood and religion and ethnic sentiments in politics. This is the biggest problem we are facing as a government. I appeal to all of us politicians to desist from these.
“We end up destroying lives by giving young people weapons and guns for election purposes. What will they do with them after the election. They become a monster difficult to deal with. So, I want to appeal to our colleagues to listen to what Bishop Fearon said to mind our language, to avoid using improper words because politic is not war. Its just a competition. We should try not to divide our people because if we win, we still need to unite them to govern them.
“If we care about our people, if we care about our state let us campaign in peace let follow the tenet of our religion. Let’s campaign on issues and achievements,” the governor said.
The chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in the state, Hassan Hyet, charged the ruling party to ensure a peaceful election, saying that fairness, equity and justice are the foundation for peaceful elections.
He said the PDP was ready to conduct itself in accordance with the law and the INEC guidelines, asking the security agencies and the electoral umpire to play by the rules and avoid being partisan.