We’re committed to credible polls, peaceful transition- Northern Elders’ Forum

The

Elders Forum (NEF) has committed its support to the conduct of a credible election and a peaceful transition.

The forum urged members to vote for any candidates that can work for the interests of the group. The forum made the adoption at the General Assembly of the Northern Elders Forum as

Patriotic citizens of Nigeria, in Abuja on Wednesday.

It also urged to respect the popular will expressed by credible elections, irrespective of the origin and identity of the winner, and also resist any attempt to subvert our democratic system by any unconstitutional means.

“We would support the next administration to address major challenges that inhibit the growth, development, peace, and security of the North and Nigeria.

“We would engage the rest of Nigeria as respected equals, and continue to demand that the rights of Northerners will not be abused, sacrificed, or neglected by any government or group.”

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State and Mediation Working Committee (KSMWC), recently inaugurated by the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), has called on international partners and local civil society organizations to work harder towards mitigating electoral violence through intensive campaigns for tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

A communique issued and read by Nurudeen Dauda at the end of its meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, said, “We are also calling on international partners and local civil society organizations to work harder toward mitigating electoral violence through intensive campaigns for tolerance and peaceful coexistence.”

The communique added, “INEC should also do something to douse inter-party tensions thereby assuring and guaranteeing safety of voters at their respective polling units.”

The committee expressed delight with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for taking steps to protect the integrity of what could be a particularly complex electioneering process.

He explained that records showed that more than 90 million Nigerians, in a population estimated at over 210 million, are eligible to vote in 2023, saying that the number is considerably larger than the 84 millions of those who cast their votes in 2019.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its readiness to conduct credible, free and fair election on Feb. 25 in Imo, in spite of the violence in the state.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. Sylvia Agu gave the assurance on Wednesday at a news conference to announce the commission’s preparedness for the election.

Agu said that about 2.4 million registered voters in Imo were eligible to vote during the election.

“As at the close of work on Feb. 3, about 375,004 Permanent

Voter Cards (PVC), comprising 206,463 old cards, 116,734 new cards and 51,807 reprints have been collected,” she said.

Agu said that over 4,500 people who filled forms on issues relating to PVCs had been attended to.

The REC assured that the commission had made adequate arrangements to carry out voting in volatile areas of the state, particularly in Okigwe and Orsu Local Government Areas.

She noted, however, that election would not hold in 38 polling units in the state where the commission recorded zero registration.

Agu said that zero registration were recorded in Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ezinihite Mbaise, Ideato North, Isiala Mbano, Isu, Njaba, Ohaji/Egbema, Orlu, Oru East, Owerri Municipal and Owerri North Local Government Areas.

“On level of preparedness, INEC in Imo State is fully ready for the elections.