International Alert, a peacebuilding organization, has partnered with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and The Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience OSPRE (National Early Warning Centre) to launch a new initiative aimed at promoting national stability, dialogue, and reducing violence around the 2023 elections in Nigeria. This initiative is part of the UK Conflict Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) supported “Promoting Stability, Access to Justice, and Accountability in North-West Nigeria: Samun Adalchi Shine Kwanciyar Hankali (Achieving Justice Promotes Stability)” Project.
The first National Stability Dialogue session was held, and it brought together delegates from various sectors, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), NOA, OSPRE, security, academia, CSOs, the media, and voluntary and community organizations. The meeting focused on promoting social cohesion, cross-community collaboration, and peaceful democratic processes. These sessions will continue every three months for the next year, with each event addressing different thematic areas.
The upcoming 2023 Nigerian elections have already seen intense rivalry and high tensions between the three major parties, and the religious and cultural identities of the candidates have divided the electorate. Security challenges have also been ever-present, and experts fear that a trigger event could lead to post-election violence.
The National Stability Dialogue sessions aim to address the drivers of electoral violence and demand accountability from key political actors and government institutions. They will also assess INEC’s role in protecting women, review the impact of the elections on gender inclusion, and set an agenda for advocacy campaigns for the gender and equal opportunity bill.
According to Paul Nyulaku, the Country Director of International Alert, polarisation between social groups is a growing challenge in Nigeria. The incoming government must prioritize national reconciliation and seek to build broad support for democratic institutions and nonviolent conflict resolution. The National Stability Dialogue project, by promoting locally owned, women-led advocacy work, aims to help Nigeria along the path to a peaceful and prosperous future.
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