Representatives of Northern Elders’ Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have met in Abuja to, among other reasons, review the state of political campaigns and explore ways in which their groups can contribute to the emergence of leaders from credible elections conducted under peaceful conditions, as well as a peaceful transition to the next administration.
The groups urged Nigerians who may be planning to travel to areas of origin to resist every temptation to do so, adding that their staying back would be a clear demonstration of real willingness to protect their rights to live wherever they are and participate in all election activities like all other Nigerians.
They said all voters must be availed the opportunities to freely exercise their political choices and that Nigerians living in all parts of the country must be encouraged to stay put under secure circumstances to vote and exercise their franchise.
They added that the government at all levels, security agencies and host communities should give every Nigerian, wherever they live and work, assurances of their safety and the protection of their rights during elections.
The three social cultural organisations, in a joint statement signed by the secretary, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Murtala Aliyu; Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu representing Ohanaeze Ndigbo; and director, Advocacy and Engagement, Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and made available to LEADERSHIP in Abuja, yesterday, stated the need for responsible conduct by all politicians and vigilance by other leaders and elders towards ensuring that the country produces the best leadership possible under the most peaceful conditions.
The statement reads in part, “We urge our fellow citizens, who may be planning to travel to areas of origin, to resist every temptation to do so. Let them make their staying back a clear demonstration of real willingness to protect their rights to live wherever they are and participate in all election activities like all other Nigerians.
“Nigerians should be aware that these are defining elections, wherein leaders should be elected on the basis of competence and the capacity to drive our economic development, social justice and political unity forward.
“We hold it as a sacred principle that no Nigerian should be penalised for holding an opinion or exercising his free choice within the confines of the law.We believe that it is possible to conduct these elections without violence or rupture to our deep roots in all parts of Nigeria. Indeed, we believe no one will benefit from the subversion of credible elections or a peaceful atmosphere under which they will hold”.
It added that such socio-cultural such as them had a responsibility to build bridges that should strengthen unity and security among communities.
Therefore, we wholeheartedly commit to continue to engage in exploring avenues that will improve inter-community relations and the search for good leaders and a country that answers to all our needs,” they added.
INEC Clears 146,913 Election Observers, Warns Against Interference
Ahead of the commencement of the general elections on Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accredited 196 national or domestic groups that are collectively deploying 144,800 observers.
Similarly, the Commission accredited 33 international organisations deploying 2,113 observers. In all, 229 groups are deploying 146,913 observers for the 2023 general election.
The chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, stated this yesterday in Abuja during a briefing of both domestic and foreign observers, saying the figures are the largest deployment of domestic and international observers in the history of elections in Nigeria.
The nation’s electoral body, however, warned them not to be partisan or interfere with the polls, stressing that they must be guided by the fact that the election is conducted by the Federal Republic of Nigeria whose sovereignty must be respected.
Yakubu told the foreign observers to adhere strictly to the rules and guidelines of the process while on the field.
In line with global good practice, he said, electoral commissions in most jurisdictions invite national and international organisations to deploy observers or organise study tours for election managers during elections.
“I urge you all to keep to the rules, listen to the presentation to be made shortly, and ask questions where you require further clarification,” he said.
INEC national commissioner, Mr Sam Olumekun, urged them to be up to date with the kits and electoral data given to them before setting out on election days, just as he told all the accredited observers, both domestic and foreign, to submit the report of their findings to the Commission.
The regional director of International Federation of Electoral System (IFES), Clara Cole, said election observation had become an integral part of election as it would expose irregularities, boost public confidence and recommend a way of further improvement on the electoral processes.
Cole said IFES would continue to support INEC in its efforts to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the country.
UK Threatens Visa Ban On Perpetrators Of Violence
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) has threatened to take action against those who will perpetrate election violence and other anti-democratic behaviour, including hate speech as Nigeria heads to the 2023 general elections.
The UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said this in a statement yesterday, stressing that the sanctions will include visa ban and other penalties under the UK human rights sanctions regime.
He condemned any action that will undermine the transparent and peaceful elections, adding that Nigeria’s democratic consolidation and stability depends on free, fair, credible elections.
Part of the statement read: “Nigeria matters to the UK, and we are following the run up to these presidential, National Assembly and gubernatorial elections very closely. Over the last two months I have met four of the presidential candidates and the chairman of INEC, and emphasised our support for the process and our commitment to a strong relationship between our two countries.
“The UK Government continues to work closely with INEC and our Nigerian civil society partners to provide advisory support on electoral and legal reforms, assist in strengthening democratic institutions, and advocate for the importance of civil society engagement in electoral and democratic processes to help deliver credible elections.”
According to him, it is vital for Nigeria’s stability and democratic consolidation that the electoral process is free, fair, and credible.
He urged all political party officials and major stakeholders to respect the the institutions and the rule of law.
