Apparently wary of impending post-election violence following the violence that trailed the presidential and National Assembly elections, the national peace committee yesterday moved to manage the situation.
Accordingly, the committee appealed to Nigerians to maintain peaceful conduct after the elections.
Chairman of the committee and former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who made the appeal after casting his vote at the hilltop polling unit in Minna, Niger State, however, commended the relative peaceful conduct of the exercise in the state and country.
He said, “I have been able to perform my civic responsibility, I am happy we have peace in the country during the elections. From what I have seen here, it is very comfortable, the moment they see you, the BVAS captures you and gives you your ballot papers for you to cast your vote.
“From all that has been going on, everything is going on smoothly and peacefully. We thank God for how things are going on in Nigeria and Niger State”.
The Arewa Consultative Forum and Ohanaeze Ndigbo have given indications they will accept and work with whoever emerges president while Afenifere has deferred from making such a commitment.
National organising secretary of Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, told this paper that he has been cautioned not to make any comment on the polls.
But the apex northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), said it would accept the outcome of the presidential election and support whoever emerges the winner.
Secretary-general of the forum, Aloyi Murtala, said whatever candidates and their supporters would wish, the final verdict will be determined by the votes Nigerians cast.
He stated: “There will definitely be winners and losers, so whichever way it goes, no one should attempt to disrespect the decision of Nigerians by condemning, or even worse, rejecting the outcome.
“That will be a cruel attack on our democracy and Nigerians will regard such conduct as unacceptable. Leaders in all climes must take all steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Citizens and foreigners in their domains.
“The media too must play a responsible role in reporting to douse any tension that may arise as a consequence of the elections and results. Governments at all levels must ensure a smooth transition to the next crop of leadership.
“But most importantly, Nigerians should come out and vote for the candidates of their choice on Saturday, 25th February, 2023, and two weeks later on Saturday, 11th March, 2023. Remember, not coming out to vote is allowing yourself to be ruled by your inferiors! God bless and save the Federal Republic of Nigeria” he said.
Similarly, the Ohanaeze Youth Council declared yesterday that they were ready to accept the outcome of the presidential election.
President of the council, Okwu Nnabuike Okwu, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday in Enugu.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council president said they are against people with the intention to truncate the electoral process.
He pointed out that they want to ensure that democracy is sustained, adding that they wouldn’t want the military to take over power.
“We are ready to accept it, we want to continue with the electoral process” he stated
Also, the apex Igbo social- cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said that the organisation is poised for jubilation galore because it has worked hard for victory.
Spokesman of Ohanaeze, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday when asked if the organisation will accept the outcome of the election and congratulate the winner.
He stated that they are hoping that the outcome of the result will lead to jubilation galore.
Ogbonnia insisted that they were expecting jubilation galore, saying they were not expecting anything to the contrary.
He maintained that the outcome will be in their favour and nothing less.
Accept Election Outcome, CSOs Tell Presidential Candidates
Civil Society Organisations CSOs in Nigeria have called on the presidential candidates and their supporters to accept the outcome of the election.
According to the CSOs, the presidential candidates should call their supporters not to resort to violence if they did not emerge.
The CSOs that spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday are Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Transparency International (TI), the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Rotary Club.
Speaking, the leader of TMG, TI, and CISLAC, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the presidential candidates should know that only one person will emerge winner.
“We call on the presidential candidate to abide by the code of conduct they sign. The presidential candidates should also abide by the democratic tenets.
“Some will win, some will lose. Accept the outcome of the election especially when it is free and fair,” Rafsanjani told the presidential candidates.
“The people should not be involved in violence. It is the duty of the presidential candidates to call their members to ensure that they call their supporters not to do anything that will bridge the peace of the country.
Meanwhile, The Rotary Club of Abuja has urged Nigerians especially the presidential candidates to embrace peace and eschew violence in the general elections.
A statement issued by the President of the club, Rotarian Obinna Nwandikom and the secretary, Rotarian Aderson Idoko encouraged the masses to see the Nation as a priority over any individual or political party, hence collective interest should come first.
The rotary statement implored Nigerians to exercise their democratic rights peacefully and responsibly and reject any form of violence.
“Elections are a cornerstone of any democratic society, and it is important that all stakeholders play their part in ensuring that the process is peaceful and transparent.
“The role of citizens in promoting peaceful elections cannot be overemphasized. Nigerians must show a high level of political maturity and eschew any form of violence, intimidation. They must be prepared to accept the outcome of the elections, even if their preferred candidates do not win,” the Rotary Club said.
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