News Commentary: The imperative of Healing and Reconciliation after 2023 Elections in Plateau state

It is written by Joseph Gilbert of our News and Current Affairs Department

In Plateau state ,the contest to fill various positions during the 2023 general elections has ended except in few areas where the Independent National Electoral Commission has yet to conclude has yet to conclude the exercise .

But from the look of things ,there are still outstanding issues beyond the election.

It is about peace , consensus building,unity , healing and reconciliation among all citizens who were directly or indirectly involved in the electioneering process for a prosperous Plateau

The foregoing is the central challenge of post-election governance.

No doubts,the challenge is enormous and may not be easy to deal with if the contending parties do not understand the co-relation between politics and reconciliation.

But it must be pointed out that while politics can sometimes take unexpected turns due to high emotional attachments by major actors and their supporters, there certainly comes a time when it is over and the affairs of governance is allowed to take the center stage.

It is against this backdrop that all citizens, politicians, political parties and their supporters must come to such a realization and put the common interest of the generality of society at heart by respecting the wishes of the people who have made their choice at the poll.

The recent statements by some Plateau elders and prominent personalities including former Governor Jonah Jang, former Governor Joshua Dariye, governor elect,Caleb Mutfwang ,governorship candidate of the Labour party,Patrick Dakum ,among others ,in the aftermath of the 2023 election , calling for healing in the state appear to be the appropriate message for Plateau going forward

That notwithstanding ,Persons who have committed offences during the elections should be tried and punished in accordance with the law.

They should not be shielded from prosecution.

What Plateau requires is genuine peace and reconciliation which is imperative for post election progress and development in the state