2023 polls: IPCR commends Nigerians on peaceful conduct

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) had commended Nigerians for their peaceful conduct during the Saturday 25th February 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.

It also praised the people for their peaceable disposition after the election results were declared by the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement released in Abuja Thursday by the Institute signed by the Director Overseeing the Office of the Director-General, IPCR, Gabriel

B. Jiya, Esq, it noted that typical of electoral contest, a winner will emerge and declared by the electoral body, who is expected to be magnanimous in victory while other candidates demonstrate sportsmanship and patriotism in exploring constitutional channels for ventilating their grievances.

According to the statement, “As a public-oriented institution, the Institute believes in the improvement of our electoral system and therefore urges INEC to learn from the experience of the last presidential and National Assembly elections in organising, conducting and ensuring that Saturday 18th March 2023 for the gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly election is both peaceful and credible.

“This is fundamental for democratic consolidation, representational governance, entrenching the culture of peace and sustaining the electorates’ confidence in the electoral process.

“We have also noted the conduct of the security agencies in mitigating violent incidents and securing the electoral space from the activities of political thugs and other criminal elements.

“Once again, the Institute urges the security agencies to improve on their election duty by being professional and civil in the discharge of their responsibility throughout the exercise in order to protect lives and property as well as safeguard the sanctity of the election.

“The Institute notes with appreciation the conduct of political parties, their candidates and supporters in receiving, appreciating and modestly celebrating the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly election, which is a sign of their firm believe in the capacity of the electoral process, including the judiciary, to deliver on credible outcomes. “We call on them to continue to exercise confidence in the country’s democracy and support INEC in ensuring that the state-level election is both peaceful and credible.

“As a people, we have chosen constitutional democracy because it affords us the opportunity to collectively chart a future for ourselves through consensus building and the rule of law.

“Therefore, we must individually and collectively conduct ourselves peacefully and eschew any form of violence during and after the Saturday 18th March 2023 gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly election” the statement concluded.

Niger Gov. declares to support women entrepreneur

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

Governor Abubakar Sani

Bello of Niger state has promised his continued support for women entrepreneurs in the country to boost economic activities.

He made this known when he received the Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE) at the Government House, Minna.

Governor Sani Bello who noted that “women are the most vulnerable”, emphasized that it has become necessary to empower them.

He commended the association for making plans to train 500 women in the state in vocational skills.

Responding to the land request made by the Association, he directed Chief of staff and Commissioner for Lands and Housing to ensure they provide 5 hectares of land for the Association at the Industrial park.