The Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON) has urged youths to resist attempts by aggrieved politicians to incite them to breach law and order following the outcome of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The President of the group, Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel, supported by the Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Attah Felix and Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Assembly Leader, Mr. Chigozie Uwaoma, among others, in an address advised that, “Nigerian youths must refrain from being used by politicians to create crisis in pursuit of their selfish interests”.
The group said “anyone, political party or group that feels their right have been trampled upon or their mandate stolen in any guise should for the sake of Nigeria’s unity and peace approach the courts to seek redress”.
The group continued “the burning of shops in some States of the federation for whatever reason is highly condemned and we urge security agencies to immediately investigate for justice to take its course”.
Congratulating the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the group noted that, “the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections in Nigeria has just concluded the Nigerian Presidential election and has also declared a winner.
“We urge Nigerians, especially Nigerian youths and emerging Leaders in the 774 local government areas of the federation not to allow any individual or group provoke their sensibilities into any unruly act as it concerns the just concluded Presidential election.
“INEC is empowered by the Nigeria Constitution to be independent hence shouldn’t be influenced by any person or group of persons in any guise, be it protest, demonstration, etc as any of such act may ignite unrest in our Nation today”.
The ELFON President, added, “we have keenly monitored events unfold,actions and inactions from some quarters are such that could trigger ethnic or religious crisis which will do us no good as a Nation.
“The Nigeria Presidential seat is for Nigeria and Nigerians, not for any particular tribe or religion. The earlier we embrace this truth, the better for all of us and our dear Nation.
“No tribe or ethnicity should see the Nigeria Presidential seat as their birth right or ancestral throne of heritage as it is for us all.
“We urge Nigerians not to attach Religion or ethnicity to any pursuit which is supposed to be for the good and benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians in general.
“If INEC has gotten it right, the got it right for all religion, ethnicity and tribe in Nigeria. If INEC got it wrong, it got it wrong to affect all religion, ethnicity and tribe in Nigeria. Therefore no tribe or religion or ethnic group should see the outcome as their win alone or loss alone.
“We the Emerging Leaders of our dear Nation and the generality of Nigerian youths will be the greatest losers if the Nigerian project is truncated hence our resolve to reorient and caution Nigerians to always think Nigeria First. “It is not always about who is right, but who is left”
“We should rather outline our demands and expectations from the new government and pursue such, which include but not limited to an enabling environment for the Nigerian youths to live their dreams and become part of the project.
“To Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we Congratulate you on your emergence as Nigeria’s president -elect as we pray God to give you the wisdom and Grace to live up to the expectations of Nigerians and better our dear Nation Sir. As Emerging Leaders of our dear Nation, we wish to advise that you carry everyone along.
“We salute the doggedness of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari who never compromised his integrity.
“To all presidential candidates who weren’t declared winner, pursue your matters with every sense of patriotism if truly is about the good of Nigerians and for Nigerians. Let your pursuit not have ethnic or religious colouration because it will be resisted by us all if it does.
“We equally thank the Nigerian Armed forces and all security agencies for their gallantry and never say die spirit in protecting lives and properties”
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