Ebenezer Adurokiya
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has raised some grave concerns over what it described as the precarious mood of the nation, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to act fast before things degenerate ahead of Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
The group also advised the president to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to live above board and ensure that the inconsistencies and irregularities observed during the Presidential and National Assembly elections of February 25 will not reoccur in the Saturday Governorship and State Assembly elections.
These concerns and more were raised in a letter signed by the leader, Chief Dr Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere, Dr Pogu Bitrus of the Middle Belt Forum, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former governor of Anambra State and
Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and made available to journalists late Wednesday night.
The leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the manner President Buhari and INEC have comported themselves during and after the February 25 Presidential Election.
They accused the president and INEC of not appreciating the growing mood of the country, which they averred, was doused by the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi and some respected elders and leaders of the country.
“Mr President should note that there has been an uneasy calm in the land and that the polity is laden with uncertainty orchestrated by the conduct and outcome of the Presidential election.
“It’s hoped that Mr President will carefully reflect on the issues raised herein and act accordingly, not only in the interest of Nigeria’s unity and stability, but the sustenance of our democratic journey as well.
“Your Excellency, across Nigeria, voters of all ages and groups, consider the conduct and outcome of the February 25 presidential election as fraudulent.
“Likewise, many foreign and local observers concluded that the conduct of the election failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to follow the Electoral Act 2022, and even its guidelines in the conduct of the poll.
“This was despite the humongous amount of taxpayers’ money spent by INEC and the promises of free, fair and credible elections given to Nigerians and the international community, ahead of the elections, by Mr President and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Indeed, there’s palpable tension in the country and Nigeria would have been sweltering now were it not for the appeals for calm by well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the election, Mr Peter Obi, and most of us, who are elders and statesmen across the country.
“Unfortunately, while we are imploring for peace and calm on the part of all who are dissatisfied with the conduct and outcome of the polls, and to hold forth for the judiciary to dispense justice on the matter, it seems Mr President and the Independent National Electoral Commission, do not appreciate the mood of the country,” the group stated in part.
SMBLF, in the letter, flayed President Buhari for displaying his ballot paper after thumbprinting against the Electoral Act, his unguarded utterances on annulled June 12, 1993, the debilitating CBN cashless policy that has led to the death of many souls, and the INEC’s general uncooperative attitude with aggrieved presidential candidates who have resorted to the tribunal to plead their cases, and the BVAS debacle during and after the February 25 election.
The group, however, urged President Buhari to ensure that INEC will sit up in the Saturday Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
“Mr President, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be told, in unequivocal terms, to ensure that the inconsistencies and irregularities observed during the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25 will not reoccur in the Governorship and State Assembly elections, holding on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Elections belong to the people; it’s their decision and the people’s decision must be respected.
“Though the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System may have mitigated the concern of ghost or multiple votes and the February 25 election resulted in a national assembly somewhat reflective of the extant political viewpoint of the country, the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly follow the Electoral Act 2022 marred the credibility of the election.
“The sanctity of the ballot must be upheld by the electoral umpire and results of the elections must truly reflect the will of the citizenry. We are not sure that pretexts of “technical glitches” about uploading of results from the BVAS to the iREV immediately after collation at the polling units shall be tolerable in the Governorship and State Assembly elections. The elections must be free, fair and credible!
“In conclusion, Mr President, while we acknowledge the resilience of all Nigerians, particularly the youths, for keeping faith despite the provocative actions of INEC amidst the subsisting difficult socio-economic situations; it is imperative to underline that those who seek to serve the people in a constitutional democracy must imbibe the tenets of democracy – the values of freedom, respect for the rule of law and human rights, inclusivity, fairness, equity, justice, etcetera, in the interest of the peace, unity and progress of our dear country, Nigeria.
“Let us allow the Judiciary to do its job, without interference, and relieve Nigeria from any political crisis.”
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