2023: UK Govt Says Conflicts, Insecurity May Wreck Nigeria’s Democracy
The United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has expressed concern over the ongoing conflicts in various parts of the country, saying that the ugly trends may derail Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2023 elections.
It was reported that the development director of the office, Chris Beecroft made the disclosure at the event organized to launch the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Inclusive Security Initiative in Abuja on Thursday, July 8.
Legit.ng gathered that the initiative was launched to tackle insecurity, conflicts, and violence in the country.
Beecroft noted that there is a raging conflict in every part of Nigeria with the active insurgency in the northeast, adding that farmer-herder conflicts are extending across the country.
It was also reported that Beecroft said the conflict represented an existential threat to Nigeria’s unity and its development, stating that Nigeria faced peace and security challenges.
He, however, noted that peace and stability would be achieved when the causes of conflict in the society were managed through strong, fair, and responsive governance mechanisms, whether at the community, state of the federal level.
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Beecroft said: “Greater emphasis needs to be placed on reconciliation, mediation, arbitration, and access to justice- all vital components of a vibrant, resilient, and effective social contrast. The rise in conflict risks destabilizing Nigeria’s democracy in the run-up to the 2023 elections.
“There is an active insurgency in the northeast; farmer-herder conflicts are extending across the country; resource conflicts in the Delta; tension in the southeast; and banditry in the northwest. Conflict destroys lives, destroys livelihoods, destroys hope and ambition for the future. Conflict represents an existential threat to Nigeria’s unity and its development.”
He called for job creation for young Nigerians for them to have a stake in a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria. Beecroft stated that the UK FCDO recognized the important role the NGF played in setting the peace and security agenda and in building state and community level structures and institutions to reduce violence and respond to conflict and insecurity across Nigeria.
He said: “The UK is pleased to have been able to support this initiative and is committed to continue working with the NGF in advancing its peace and security agenda.”
