As Nigerians look forward to the 2023 general election, politicians in the country have been told to show curiosity and attach importance to seeking information about the new electoral law as this would help greatly in resolving issues that have the potentials to produce volatile and crisis situations.
Mallam Yusuf Ali , a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said this while giving his keynote speech during the 2023 annual lecture of the National League of Veteran Journalists (NALVEJ), Kwara state council in Ilorin.
The keynote topic was ‘Towards A Peaceful 2023 General Election’, and he emphasized that ‘election is very important and constitutional’ when it comes to ‘democratic governance’.
Ali noted that the Electoral Act has stipulated processes and laws governing elections, unlike the situation that obtained in the past when people had to fight to achieve elective positions.
Represented by a senior lawyer in his chamber, Mr Haruna Mahmud, the popular lawyer urged Nigerians to get copies of the new Electoral law, noting that no one needs to fight over election outcomes any longer, but to rather approach election petition tribunals, ‘as the laws are adequate to take care of all grievances’.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also allayed public fears with respect to the upcoming 2023 general election, declaring that the elections will hold as planned.
Mallam Attahiru Madami , who is the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kwara state, while giving his speech at the event urged Nigerians to act responsibly and shun political violence.
Submitting that the commission is prepared to sustain peaceful conduct of elections in the state, he added that Kwara had been recognized and known for recording peaceful conduct of elections over the years, citing the 2019 general election.
While assuring the political parties of an unbiased process in the upcoming elections in the state, Madami noted that having a biased umpire stands as one of the reasons for violence during elections.
He also identified adequate security presence involving all law enforcement agencies, as an important measure to achieve peaceful conduct of elections.
‘Let’s sustain the peace in the state. Elections can become violent when the umpire is biased. Adequate security should be provided, and we should be civil.
We have given assurance that elections will hold despite the doubts by some Nigerians. Young people should be admonished to shun political violence. Women should also do that, especially mothers. We should all preach unity. Violence will take us no where’ he said.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy, Alh Saadu Salahu, promised his administration’s continued support for active and retired journalists in the state.
He said his administration is committed to peaceful coexistence of the people of the state, adding that Kwara remains one of the most secured states in the country as attested to by the Inspector General of Police during his recent visit to the state.
The governor chronicled the achievements of his administration in health, education, road infrastructure and civil service sectors, adding that efforts were being intensified to industrialize the state and ensure regular electricity supply.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof Olu Obafemi ,who described the theme of the lecture as very apt, said democracy could not thrive if there are no free and fair elections.
He urged Nigerians not to vote along ethnic and religious lines to safeguard the unity and development of the country.
In his goodwill message, the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who was represented by the District Head of Owode, Alh Sidiq Kayode, admonished Nigerians to ensure peace before, during and after the elections.
Earlier, the chairman of NALVEJ, Alh Tunde Akanbi, had appealed to politicians in the country to show political maturity and abide by the rules and regulations of the game.
‘Since we still have 44 days before the elections begin, precisely on the 25 February 2023, politicians and their supporters can have a change of mind. I mean positively for those
that still hold the erroneous belief that it is either them or the elections will not hold.
I also plead with the young people not to allow themselves to be used as tools to truncate the elections while social media/online handlers should guide against any act that can inflame the situation before, during and after the polls.
To the umpire of the election, INEC and security agencies as well as the judiciary, including the media, we urge you all to maintain neutrality and allow the will of God and that of the electorate to prevail’ he said.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned the event was attended by frontline traditional rulers, heads of security agencies in the state, state director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Federal Commissioner , National Population Commission (NPC), Alh Razak Gidado, Governor Abdulrazaq’s Special Assistant on Religion, Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro, former grand Kadi, Justice Salihu Mohammed, chairman, Kwara NUJ, AbdulLateef Ahmed and media executives among others- Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you
