In a bid to prevent the post-election violence that greeted the nation in the aftermath of the 2011 general elections, a former Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Chairman of the 2014 National Conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi has called on Presidential Aspirants to sign a memorandum of undertaking to control their supporters and preach peaceful elections.
The scholar noted in an open letter to the presidential aspirants that any breakdown of law and order after the February 2015 election will be more catastrophic considering “the illegal massive importation of weapons into the country has reached an alarming rate.” He called on them to strive to ensure the safety of lives and property in the face of a possible breakdown of law and order.
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| Deputy Chairman, 2014 National Conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi |
Akinyemi said, “The first step is for the two presidential aspirants to sign a MoU that will commit both to a civil and peaceful campaign, devoid of threats and a commitment to preach peaceful elections to their supporters.
“The certainty of violence after the 2015 elections is higher that it was in 2011. If President Jonathan wins, the North would erupt into violence as it did in 2011. If Buhari wins, the Niger Delta will erupt into violence. I don’t believe we need rocket science to make this prediction.”
Prof. Akinyemi appealed to traditional and religious leaders as well as elder statesmen to facilitate this and ensure post-election conflicts are well managed.
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