Civil society organisations (CSOs) comprising the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM), Centre for 21st Century Issues (C21ST) and Campaign for Dignity in Governance have urged eligible Nigerians to participate fully in the presidential poll scheduled for Saturday in a peaceful and orderly manner.
The CSOs who stated this at a crucial press briefing on the state of the nation ahead of the 2023 polls urged Nigerians to vote for candidates of their choice to consolidate democracy for the continued progress and prosperity of the federal republic of Nigeria.
The CSOs in a communiqué signed by Comrade Nelson Ekujumi of Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM), Comrade Titilope Akosa of Centre for 21ST Century Issues (C21ST) and Razaq Olokoba, Campaign for Dignity in Governance said, “Our appeal to Nigerians is predicated on our responsibility as societal watchdogs and democrats desirous of deepening democracy through advocacy for the active participation of citizens in the electoral process.
‘’We are not unaware of the excruciating pains and discomfort occasioned by the implementation of the Naira redesign policy, but call on Nigerians not to despair or be weary but to remain calm and peaceful with abiding faith in democracy. We encourage Nigerians to be hopeful that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.
‘’We urge Nigerians to continue to persevere and not pander to the antics of undemocratic elements whose motive is to take advantage of the prevailing situation to lure citizens to violence which could truncate the democratic process. We earnestly admonish Nigerians to be committed to sustaining the momentum of democratic participation for the collective good of the society; no matter the provocation.
‘’We are hereby using this medium to appeal to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ameliorate the sufferings of the people in line with Mr. President’s directive by making the various denominations of the new naira notes adequate and available at the commercial banks and other cash dispensing outlets to ease the untold pains and anguish which individuals and businesses have been subjected in the last couple of weeks.’’
