Dr Garba Abari, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has warned polt against making incendiary remarks that might jeopardise the country’s peace and unity.
Abari, DG NOA appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja. (NAN).
“Some politicians are fanning the flames of discord over the past 2023 general elections by using hate speech and derogatory remarks.”
“This trend is dangerous and highly detrimental to the country’s peace and unity.”
“The elections are over, but politicians’ language remains toxic and intemperate.” This is increasing societal tension.
“It allows those who do not believe in the country’s unity to go about pulling from centrifugal perspectives in order to pull down the roof,” he remarked.
The NOA chief, on the other hand, praised those who used constitutional procedures to seek redress rather than inciting nationwide unrest and violence.
Abari, DG NOA asked politicians and their followers to refrain from using derogatory, rude, hateful, or provocative statements.
“The elections have come and gone; elections have been lost and won; there are those who are pleased and those who are dissatisfied.”
“Our country has constitutional processes in place to seek redress for such incidents; the laws of the land have provided us with the opportunity to seek redress.”
“Politicians must understand that there is life after elections, and I want the media to be very sensitive to Nigerians’ sensibilities in its reporting,” he added.
According to Abari, DG NOA, Nigeria must endure in order for anyone’s political ambitions to be realised.
“When we have no country, we will have no government, no National Assembly members, no President, no Vice President, and no governor,” he stated.
“So, whatever we do, please allow peace to reign, without prejudice to everyone’s right to feel the way he or she feels.”
“It is a right to be angry and a right to be happy, but we must communicate in such a way that the country remains peaceful, stable, and secure,” Abari, DG NOA remarked.
He also warned lawmakers not to create a climate that would lead to the collapse of law and order via intemperate and wholesome behaviour.
“We are stronger together; if Nigeria falls apart, which African country can take in 200 million Nigerian refugees?”
“In his infinite mercy, God brought together the Kanuri, Efik, Ijaw, Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Tiv, Nupe, Igala, Benin, and all other tribes in Nigeria.”
“We didn’t choose to be here; God placed us here, and we must be aware of this.”
“God has abundantly blessed Nigeria in terms of population, vast land mass, resources, and talents.” As a result, we must express our gratitude to Him via activities that will bring out these treasures for the benefit of everyone.
“The path to greatness is determined by our ability to respect and tolerate one another, as well as contribute our fair share to national development.”
“It is simple to destroy but extremely difficult to rebuild,” Abari, DG NOA said.
