By Ime Akpan
Lagos
Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano state at the weekend blamed the actions and inactions of political leaders for the frequent election violence in the country.
Kwankwaso made the observation when a delegation of the Council of the Wise paid him an advocacy visit in Kano.
He said: “It is unfortunate that actions of some politicians incite violence. But we in Kano state have mobilised our supporters to be peaceful. Every right thinking Nigerian will support the call for peaceful polls.
“A peaceful Nigeria is a peaceful West Africa, a peaceful Africa and indeed the world in General. We will continue to talk to our people particularly members of our party, to be peaceful as possible.”
The governor said using religion and ethnicity negatively was a sign of weakness on the part of the politicians.
“Leaders at all levels will continue to get the support of Nigerians as long as they are doing the right thing,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to continue to do the right for the peace of the country before and during the general elections.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Council, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who was represented by the Anglican Archbishop of Kaduna and member of council, BishopJosiah Idowu-Fearson, said the council was ready to work towards violence-free 2015 general elections.
He appealed to the governor to ensure that peace reined in the state and indeed the entire country during and after the elections.
He noted that the 2015 general elections was a litmus test for Nigeria as the whole world would be watching for the outcome.
Idowu-Fearon said the country needed to get it right this time, urging all, regardless political differences, to come together to ensure peace in the country.
The cleric urged stakeholders to support INEC, noting that the “Commission alone cannot do it.”
The Council of the Wise is an initiative of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development, a non-governmental organisation (NGO). (NAN)