As Nigeria approaches the 2019 General Elections and worried by the upsurge in political violence, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other critical stakeholders, under the aegis of the National Stakeholders Committee are bringing together all stakeholders in the electoral process for national dialogue toward a peaceful poll.
NOA Director General, Dr. Garba Abari made this known in Abuja after a meeting of the National Stakeholders Committee comprising all major governmental, non-governmental, religious and security organizations.
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He said the National Stakeholders Dialogue for Peaceful and Violence Free 2019 General Elections is being organized to address genuine concerns for the peaceful conduct of the elections and cautioned against political utterances and conducts capable of heating up the nation as the elections approach.
According to Abari, the dialogue will assemble political office holders, presidential candidates of various political parties, the leadership of key religious bodies in Nigeria, security agencies, security experts, electoral officers and other stakeholders on the imperative and strategies to ensure a peaceful 2019 general election.
The NOA Director General said “It is the duty of all stakeholders to explore all possible means towards ensuring that the 2019 General Elections are not only free, fair and credible but, most importantly, peaceful. Stakeholders are expected to draw from the framework to be established at the dialogue as guide for their operations before, during and after the elections”.
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He noted that President Muhammadu Buhari is expected as Special Guest of Honour, while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen are expected as Special Guests, adding that the Dialogue will be chaired by Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.
