Elections: UN warns politicians, says Nigeria must not fail

The United Nations advised on Monday that Nigeria should do well in the 2023 general election and not fail.

The global organization also stated that the only way for a nation to succeed was through the sustainable development it had advocated.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, Amina Mohammed, said this in a keynote speech she delivered at the National Dialogue Stand of the Nigerian Bar Association, themed “Security , economics and administration of justice’. ‘

The PUNCH reported that only three of the 18 presidential candidates showed up for the event.

They are Peter Umeadi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance; Major Hamza Al-Mustapha Hamza of the Action Alliance and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress.

“As Africa’s leading economy, with the largest port of views, and a security anchor for our neighbours, Nigeria cannot simply afford to fail,” Mohammed said, reminding the judiciary that as members of the bar association, “you have a key role to play in advancing the country’s push for the 2023 general election.”

Mohammed said the UN would support any process leading to credible, comprehensive, free and fair general elections.

“The UN is determined to accompany Nigeria on this journey,” she said.

Muhammad also expressed optimism that “things will turn around towards a more inclusive, equal and just society where we will embrace the best of our traditions with an open mind and build trust that will allow us to build a better future together.”

The top UN official said the increase in registered voters from 84 million to 93 million was encouraging, adding that it had suggested Nigerians were excited about the election process.

She denounced politicians and candidates who engaged in politics of bitterness, resentment and bitterness.

“Since the beginning of the political campaigns, however, we have continued to witness attacks on institutions, fake news, hate speech, a surge of religious and ethnic identities, conditions and attacks on INEC facilities,” Mohammed lamented.

She therefore appealed to the judiciary to brace themselves and remain an impartial arbiter.

“In this context, the report of this forum cannot be underestimated. The judiciary will be called upon to discuss and manage potential conflicts or tensions that may arise as a result of the election.

“As such, the judiciary is urged to remain impartial and avoid activities that undermine it in order to fulfill its role as assigned by the Constitution,” the UN deputy writer said.

The president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), called on members of the legal profession to stop using their legal skills and knowledge for remuneration.

He said: “While the pay for the services we provide is good, we should not make this the primary motivation for the work we do; we must be motivated primarily by the cause of the people.

“That is the way for national development. We have chosen three thematic areas in this first phase of the national dialogue: security, economics and justice. We will set the tone for the nation from an NBA perspective with the help of our hand-picked keynote speaker and panelists on the three topics.

“We invited all presidential candidates to join this conversation in the hope that whoever wins the election, we would have a basis to further engage the government and be accountable to the people of Nigeria.

“We will document the NBA’s position from this dialogue and make it available to all presidential candidates. We believe this will also help restore our leadership position in society, based on our service to the people, while ensuring we protect the legal space and guide the younger generation on this path of nobility.”

A panellist, Police Commission Chairman and former Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, said Nigeria’s next president needs strong political will to reform the armed forces and better carry out its constitutional duties.

He stressed that the safety of life and property is a government responsibility and advised the new government to consider the use of technology in the fight against crime.

Another panellist, Brigadier General Abubakar Hanafi Sa’ad, warned against profiling of any ethnic group.

“Don’t profile ethnic groups. Not all shepherds are terrorists,” he said.