W’African elders urge Nigerians to be law-abiding, task INEC, security on peaceful, credible polls

*The West African Elders Forum urges all stakeholders to exercise their constitutional responsibilities to promote peace and protect the integrity of the electoral process in the governorship and state assemblies elections holding Saturday, March 18 in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As Nigerians head to polls for governorship and state assembly elections Saturday, March 18, 2023, the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security operatives, and other stakeholders to act in accordance with the laws of the land on the election day.

WAEF made the appeal in a statement jointly signed by John Mahama, leader of 2023 Election Mission to Nigeria and former President of Ghana, and ex-Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Convener of the Forum, in Abuja, FCT.

The Elders’ forum also encouraged all stakeholders to exercise their constitutional responsibilities in a manner that would promote peace and protect the integrity of the electoral process in the governorship and state assemblies elections in the West African country.

WAEF particularly urged INEC to address the challenges identified by various stakeholders after the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections, as a means of protecting the integrity of the process.

The statement noted: “This election is another opportunity for INEC to rebuild the trust and confidence of the citizens and show its commitment to credible polls for a better democratic outcome in Nigeria and our sub-region.

“There is, therefore, the need for the electoral body to take into account the complaints raised by the different stakeholders, including local and international observers, during the presidential and national assembly elections and make a commitment to resolving those challenges.”

They further stated: “We reiterate our earlier statement made after the Presidential and National Assembly elections that Nigeria is a major stakeholder in the sustainability of democracy in West Africa.

“The responsibility of maintaining the nation’s thriving democracy and the general peace of our sub-region rests on all our shoulders, especially on the credibility of INEC and other election management bodies in West Africa, during elections.”

Appeal to citizens to be law-abiding

WAEF as well appealed to Nigerians to be law-abiding and desist from acts that could mar the elections and threaten the peace of the country and the sub-region Saturday.

The statement also said: “The WAEF Election Mission to Nigeria, 2023, once again commends Nigerians for their calmness and maturity during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“We wish to call for fair, peaceful, and transparent elections as citizens gear up to go to the polls for the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, on Saturday.”

The forum commended the presidential candidates in the last elections for heeding the elders’ advice to toe the path of peace and follow legal means to address the grievances observed  during the last phase of elections in Nigeria.

WAEF urged political parties, candidates, and their supporters to carry out their civic responsibilities within the ambit of the law and refrain from acts that could lead to violence and the breakdown of law and order during and after the polls.

Reminders to security authorities on alertness

The Elders advises the security authorities to be alert to their responsibilities and check the unlawful activities of those seeking to disrupt the elections.

“Ahead of this second round of elections, we have observed the untoward actions of some party loyalists in some states meant to induce voter suppression by intimidating the citizens and discouraging them from exercising their civic rights.

“This same trend was noticeable three weeks ago during the presidential and national assembly elections.

“The citizens overcame these challenges and were able to cast their ballots and we are hopeful that, this time also, they will be out in their numbers to cast their ballots in defence of the nation’s democracy,” the statement  said.

WAEF also applauded Nigerians for their peaceful disposition and faith in the West African country’s democracy, despite some of the challenges identified in the process thus far.

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