RSSSL: Election violence threat to Nigeria’s economy"

RSSSL: Election violence threat to Nigeria’s economy"
Real Strikers Security Services Limited in conjunction with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) had commenced nationwide security awareness on electoral violence prevention and homeland security measures, saying violence during elections will destroy Nigeria’s economic future.

Managing Director, RSSSL and Project Director, Dr. Joseph E. Ameh, state that electoral violence is s product of a sordid outcome of an organised intimidation or actual molestation of perceived or actual opponents during electioneering process. He noted that youths are often engaged by some politicians as instruments of violence to unleash terror on their opponent while the product end is often wanton loss of lives and properties in addition to the concomitant economic set-back.

Ameh said, “we don’t want the future of our children, our developing economy and democracy to be destroyed, therefore, there is need to educate citizens on responsible political conducts. This is the whole essence of this seminar as well as the nationwide enlightenment campaign that we have chosen to embark on, he said. He stated that political tolerance and culture of non-violence appear to be the roadmap that guarantees secured political, economical future in Nigeria.

It is important to have peace because it adds value to national unity and economy. Violent creates a lot of gap, wounds, broken words to persons, groups, society and to us as a people. President (ALPSPN) Dr. Davidson Akhieme, advised the youths that it’s better to save their live for another election because when you are alive you stand to benefit the dividend of democracy. It’s not a thing to die for. You will do your best and be patriotic and come out to vote and then you retire and wait for the result. And if you must be at the pulling boot you must not engage in any acrimonious discussion.

Youths should save their future, the economy by not fomenting troubles no matter who will pay them money to do that, he said.” He also advised the security agents to guard against any form of thuggery at the polling centres. They should not be lenient with offenders during this election process especially the day of election and that is why we advise government to make provision for logistics available for security agents to work well on election day.

In the same vein, Dr. Franca Attoh, Dept. of Sociology, UNILAG, said, “my expectation was that they play their roles according to the dictates of the electoral law. Just like you said, electoral process. It’s not a one off situation. It starts at the level of sensitisation, creation of awareness, and I’m happy the National Orientation Agency is here because it involves a lot of preparation on the side of security agencies.