With general elections gathering momentum,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Wednesday, advised Nigerians to be responsible and avoid violence, before, during and after the exercise to ensure peaceful polls
The Reesident Electoral Commissioner in Kwara State, Mal. Attahiru Madami,gave the advice while speaking at the 2023 annual lecture of the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ), Kwara state council in Ilorin.
Madami, who allayed the fear.of Nigerians, concerning the 2023 general elections, reiterated that the elections would hold as planned, assuring that the commission was prepared to sustain peaceful conduct of elections in the state.noting that the state had been recognized for achieving peaceful conduct of elections over the years, especially in 2019.
While assuring the political parties of unbiased process in the elections in the state, Madami said that one of the reasons for violence during any election “is when the umpire is biased.”
He, however,identified adequate security involving all law enforcement agencies, as measures to achieve peaceful conduct of the elections.
“Let’s sustain the peace in the state.”Elections can be violent when the umpire is biased. Adequate security should be provided and be civil.
“INEC has assured that election will hold, despite the doubts by some Nigerians.
“Youths should be admonished to shun violence. Women should do that, especially mothers. We should all preach unity. Violence will take us no where”, he said.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy, Alhajo Saadu Salahu, restated his administration’s continued support for the media and newsmen, serving and retired in the state.
He added that his administration was committed to peaceful coexistence of the people of the state, adding that kwara remained one of the most secured states in the country as attested to by the Inspector General of Police during his recent visit to the state.
The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Olu Obafemi, who described the theme of the lecture as very apt, said democracy could not thrive, if there are no free and fair elections.
He urged Nigerians not to vote along ethnic and religious lines to safeguard the unity and development of the country.
Delivering his lecture, entitled: “Towards A Peaceful 2023 General Elections, Mal. Yusuf Ali (SAN), said that election is very important and constitutional in the nation’s democratic governance.
He said that the Electoral Act had stipulated processes and laws governing elections, unlike what obtained in the olden days when people had to fight to win positions.
Represented by a senior lawyer in his chamber, Mr Haruna Mahmud, Ali urged Nigerians to get copies of the Electoral Act, saying that “one does not need to fight over election dispute, but to approach tribunal, as laws are adequate to take care of all grievances”.
In his goodwill message,the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,represented by the District Head of Owode, Alhaji Sidiq Kayode, also urged Nigerians to be peaceful before, during and after the general elections.
Earlier, the Chairman of NALVEJ, Alhaji Tunde Akanbi, appealed to the political class to play politics according to the laid down rules and regulations.
He said:”Since we still have 44 days to go to the polls, precisely on the 25th, February, 2023, politicians and their supporters can have a change of mind.I mean positively for those
that still hold the erroneous belief that it is either them or the elections will not hold.
“I also plead with youths not to allow themselves to be used as weapons to truncate the elections while social media/online handlers should guide against any act that can set the nation on fire before, during and after the polls.
“To the umpire of the election, INEC and security agencies as well as the judiciary, including the media, we urge you all to maintain neutrality and allow the will of God and that of the electorate to prevail,” Akanbi added.
Our Correspondent reports that frontline traditional rulers, state FRSC commandant, state NSCDC commandant, commissioner of Police, state Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC),Alh Razak Gidado, among others attended the occasion.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
