A former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, has called on politicians to make their agenda for Nigerians their focus, rather than dwelling on issues that would further divide the people.
She also urged political leaders, especially those seeking elective positions to prevail on their supporters and followers to eschew violence in any form, as campaigns for various elective positions begin this weekend.
Waziri, who spoke while fielding questions from newsmen on the sideline of an event in Victoria Island, Lagos, at the weekend, said the country needs peace and unity to have a successful 2019 elections.
“For me, I believe the elections will hold as scheduled. My only concern is the level of toxicity in the statements of some political leaders. This is not really good for the polity, especially now that election campaigns will formally begin in a matter of days from now.
“So, this is the time for every patriotic political leader, especially those aspiring for offices and who will be going round to mobilise the people, to avoid hate speech capable of inciting their followers and supporters into violence.
“We cannot afford to set the country on fire with our words, because if the nation is set ablaze and the people are killed, there is no other Nigeria in Europe, America or Asia to call our country, and there will be no citizens to lead or govern.
READ ALSO: Ekiti PDP caucus affirms Fayose as party leader
“I think the people will be more interested in the plans, programmes and agenda for them than toxic words that breed violence,” the former EFCC boss said.
She said the country has lost too many innocent souls to the orgy of violence in some parts of the country in the recent past and cannot afford to waste more human capital in the name of political campaigns and elections.
“It is a good thing that the recent spate of killings in some parts of the country is subsiding now, our political leaders owe the masses the duty to maintain the peace so that we will not have to witness election-related bloodshed, which may have more devastating effect on the socio-economic and political development of the country,” she added.
Speaking on why integrity should be a major parameter for electing the next set of political leaders for the country, the former EFCC chairman said that could not be discountenanced if the nation is serious about rapid growth and development.