Kemisola Oye
AHEAD of the 2023 general election, civil society organisations, 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 exercise in a peaceful and orderly manner.
The groups called on Nigerians to vote for candidates of their choice to consolidate democracy for the continued progress and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The global community awaits the conduct and outcomes of the 2023 Presidential/National Assembly and Governorship/State Houses of Assembly Elections scheduled for Saturday 25 February 2023 and Saturday 11 March 2023 respectively.
The groups disclosed this during their meeting held in Ikeja, that their appeal to Nigerians is predicated on their responsibility as societal watchdogs and democrats desirous of deepening democracy through advocacy for the active participation of citizens in the electoral process.
The Convener of CPPM, Mr. Nelson Ekujumi, Titilope Akosa of C21ST and Razaq Olokoba,
Campaign for Dignity in Governance said that they were not unaware of the excruciating pains and discomfort occasioned by the implementation of the Naira redesign policy, but urged Nigerians not to despair or be weary, but to remain calm and peaceful with abiding faith in democracy.
They encouraged Nigerians to be hopeful that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. They however admonished 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 urged Nigerians to be committed to sustaining the momentum of democratic participation for the collective good of the society; no matter the provocation.”
The groups also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ameliorate the sufferings of the people in line with President Mohammadu Buhari’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
Campaign for Dignity in Governance said that they were not unaware of the excruciating pains and discomfort occasioned by the implementation of the Naira redesign policy, but urged Nigerians not to despair or be weary, but to remain calm and peaceful with abiding faith in democracy.
They encouraged Nigerians to be hopeful that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. They however admonished 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 urged Nigerians to be committed to sustaining the momentum of democratic participation for the collective good of the society; no matter the provocation.”
The groups also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ameliorate the sufferings of the people in line with President Mohammadu Buhari’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.
“We must warn that the hardship occasioned by the prevailing cash crunch should not be allowed to undermine the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections. Notwithstanding, considering that Nigeria operates a constitutional democracy which makes the rule of law supreme.
“We commend the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the gradual restoration of normalcy in the distribution chain of petroleum products which has manifested in the reduction of queues at petrol stations across the country.”
They, therefore, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain resolute, focused and committed to conducting free, fair and credible polls in line with the capacity already demonstrated in the conduct of recent off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
“We recognize that anti-democratic elements are not relenting in their campaign of blackmail and calumny against the electoral body. But we are confident that the 2023 general election will be credible and successful.
“We also wish to encourage security agencies to be professional and unbiased in the discharge of their functions as critical stakeholders in the electoral process. We admonish security agencies to raise the bar of professionalism and dedication to duty to arrest any threat to the peaceful and successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
“We warn that anti-democratic elements hell-bent on undermining the successful conduct of the elections and public peace through fake news incitement of violence before, during and after the election are on the prowl and must be met with the full weight of the law.
“We appeal to the media as partners in progress to be professional and objective in their coverage and reportage for a successful and credible 2023 general elections”.