AANI Seeks Dialogue on 2019 Elections

Wed, Oct 17, 2018 | By publisher


Politics

Worried by wrong signals ahead of the 2019 elections, the Alumni Association of the National Institute, AANI, is seeking a broad-based national dialogue to promote consensus and national understanding.

The body is also interested in promoting deeper understanding and cooperation between the military establishment and the civilian population, to stem violent conflicts and ensure national stability which is critical to achieving a stable democracy.

Khaleel Bolaji, the AANI president, at a press conference in Abuja, on Tuesday, October 16, said the association will next week organise a national dialogue to discuss issues critical to achieving democratic stability without jeopardizing national security.  Specifically, the one-day forum will examine the challenges posed by the coming elections and national security. It will also dissect issues around civil- military relations under democratic governance.

Key participants expected include Boss Mustapha, the secretary to the Government of the Federation; Mohammed Babagana Monguno, the national security adviser; Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, the Sultan of Sokoto, ministers and members of the National Assembly.

Bolaji disclosed that the forum is being organised in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as a proactive step in minimizing conflicts and disagreements before, during and after the general elections.

“We heard troubling stories from the recent elections in Osun and Ekiti states, especially the allegations of vote buying and victimization of voters. Observation from both elections indicated that politicians are taking things too far; they’ve turned elections into a do or die affair.

“Part of the essence of this dialogue is to sensitize the public not to allow politics or politicians to cause confusion because they will always have the opportunity to change the people in power every four years as elections come and go. The security of this country is more important to Nigerians than any other thing. There are other ways to resolve disagreements. If candidates are not satisfied with the outcome of an election there are other avenues besides violence to seek redress,” Bolaji emphasised.

“As we prepare for major elections come 2019, security challenges and the survival of democracy have raised a major concern among all patriots. AANI has deemed it proper to lend its voice in articulating this concern with a view to creating awareness and identifying the critical success factors in promoting national security and the stability of our young democracy, especially as we prepare for major elections coming up soon. While democracy is becoming stable, its fabrics are being undermined by the seeming failure of national security.

“There is no better ingredient that provides meaning and legitimacy to democratic rule than security; it is the protective umbrella of all other sectors of the democratic system. It is also the pillar of political order. Democracy and security correlate because both are people- centred. When democracy loses its security, it has lost its core values.

“That is why AANI has committed itself to promoting national dialogue in the search for peaceful co-existence among the diverse peoples and communities across the country,” the president said.

– Oct. 17, 2018 @ 18:09 GMT |

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