2023 Election: Northern Stakeholders Call for Harsh Punishment for Politicians, Give Reasons

2023 Election: Northern Stakeholders Call for Harsh Punishment for Politicians, Give Reasons

  • Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged politicians to shun the use of hate speech during their campaign
  • The group said the use of hate speech has become prevalent during campaigns and should be discouraged
  • ACF is urging security agencies to ensure a clampdown on politicians who abandoned issue-based campaigns for hate speech

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is calling for serious sanctions on politicians promoting hate speech ahead of the 2023 general election.

According to ACF, the recent increase in hate speech and violence across the federation is becoming a norm that needs to be clamped before it gets uncontrollable.

2023 election, INEC, ACF
The ACF urged that serious sanctions should be meted out on politicians instigating violence or uttering hate speech. Photo: Peter Obi, Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso
Source: Twitter

As reported by the New Telegraph, a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday, November 13 reveals that politicians now prioritise their selfish ambition at the expense of the peace and stability of Nigeria.

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The statement reads:

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“It would seem that there are many desperate political leaders and other self-appointed community champions that will not hesitate to add more fuel to the fire.”

INEC should enforce new electoral bill on violators

The ACF called on INEC to commence the enforcement of the new Electoral Act in other to clamp down on desperate politicians that are willing to jeopardise the peace and stability of the country for their own selfish gains.

“In the meantime, INEC has a responsibility to act and enforce the Electoral Act as amended. It should impose the harshest punishment possible on politicians who think achieving their personal ambitions is more important than national peace and harmony. Such persons are unfit for any form of leadership at whatever level", ACF said.

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The ACF urged all the electoral stakeholders, political parties, and a host of others to take caution in their utterances in order to allow sustainability during the election period.

It was also gathered that the ACF prompted the electorates and citizens not to ignore the fact that there is growing tension across the federation in the build-up to the 2023 general election.

ACF said:

"There are reports that some politicians are engaging thugs and violent persons to attack their opponents, spreading terror and fear everywhere.”

2023 presidency: Atiku, Tinubu, or Obi? Northern elders finally decide on preferred candidate

In another development, major stakeholders have issued their endorsement of their preferred candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.

However, the northern elders under the umbrella of the Arewa Joint Committee (AJC) have raised eyebrows.

The group was adamant and insisted that no presidential candidate would get their buy until the penultimate week of the election.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Segun Adeyemi avatar

Segun Adeyemi (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Segun Adeyemi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience as an active field reporter, editor, and editorial manager. He has had stints with Daily Trust newspaper, Daily Nigerian, and News Digest. He currently works as an editor for Legit.ng's current affairs and politics desk. He holds a degree in Mass Communication (Adekunle Ajasin University). He is a certified digital reporter by Reuters, AFP and the co-convener of the annual campus journalism awards. Email: segun.adeyemi@corp.legit.ng.