By Sunday Isuwa, Abuja
In order to ensure a violence free election in 2023, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) in collaboration with Centre For Peace Advocacy Development have taken a campaign to Police and motor Parks in Abuja.
According to the Global Peace Foundation, the campaign is to ensure that the motor Parks are safe for travellers before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
Speaking when the organizations visited the FCT Police Commissioner’s office and Jabi Motor Park in Abuja, the country representative of the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Rev John Joseph Hayab said they hold the National Union of Road Transport Worker (NURTW) in high esteem and want them to play a part at ensuring a peaceful transition next year.
“In the next few months, there will be an election. During elections, people used to travel. We want the motor parks to be a safe place for Nigerians who might be traveling to vote.
“We know that your men may not be the problem but hoodlums can take advantage of the motor parks to cause mayhem if there is no sensitisation.
“That’s why we are working with this organization to get your assurance that the garage will be a safe place. We want to visit every motor park to ensure we sensitise the people to ensure that the electoral process ends well, ” Hayab said.
According to Hayab, Nigerians need to know that even if they are traveling, the motor parks are safe.
“That thing that you used to do to ensure that the motor parks are safe is what we want you to do now. The language of peace should be spoken in the motor parks.
“We will also do it with the Okada Riders. People trust the motor parks and will always want to come to the motor parks.
“This particular campaign is specific for Peace. Before they start their political campaigns, let’s start the campaign for peace. A passenger is a passenger, he doesn’t know PDP, APC, Labour, SDP and others. If we do things right, it will even promote our businesses,” Hayab said, adding that the motor parks see a lot of people.
The Global Peace Foundation also shared fliers and T-shirts at the motor park with inscriptions, “Youths Voices Against Electoral Violence,”
Also speaking, the leader of the Centre for Peace Advocacy Development, Austin Ogeche, said they are working with Global Peace Foundation to ensure there is peace before, during and after the general elections.
“We want you to vote and you should not lose your life. We will work with you now and after, ” Austin informed the NURTW officials.
Also speaking, the Berger Branch 1 Chairman in Jabi Park, Ahmed Olaiya, said with everybody’s contribution, peace will reign in the country.
“We want change, change in a better way. All our officials are aware of this campaign and we will take it to every motor park. We will talk to passengers and drivers,” Olaiya said, adding that if a driver doesn’t know how to respond to conversation, it will spark a crisis.
Also speaking, the FCT Police Commissioner, Babaji Sunday, who was represented by the officer in charge of Rapid Response Squad, ACP Aminu Garba, said they will collaborate with any credible organization for a peaceful election in 2023.
Some of the banners and T-shirts shared by Global Peace Foundation carry inscriptions such as: “Say no to electoral violence,” “vote but don’t lose your life,” “violence is destructive but peace is constructive,” “vote Peace.”