Harboursandport.com: Lagos - A socio-political and good governance advocacy group, The Compatriots, led by its Chairman and former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah has tasked both the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to ensure that the forthcoming elections are conducted "at all cost".
The Group made the call in a statement after meeting with presidential candidates of some political parties in Abuja, noting that Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC have no reason to cancel the polls.
This call is coming among claims that some fifth columnists are frantically seeking the postponement of the 2023 general elections fixed for February and March 2023.
The group also called on all Nigerians to ensure that INEC’s integrity and competence should be protected in order to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, just as it warned that no segment of the society should be disenfranchised.
The statement read, “THE COMPATRIOTS met with Presidential Candidates of The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Kola Abiola, Prince Wole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), representative of the Labour Party candidate and running mate of Peter Obi, Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed and representative of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna.
“The other two invited candidates from The APC and the NNPP were unable to attend. The meeting was part of a series of engagements with major stakeholders in the forthcoming elections.
“Based on their combined presentations and answers to specific questions, the interactive session revealed the collective and exceptionally high quality of the contestants, their profound understanding of the critical issues, and their strong commitment to the democratic process.
“It was also clear that individually and collectively, there is a strong commitment to the development of the inalienable fortunes and power of the citizen to shape the future of our country.
“The Compatriots saw a powerful alignment between its objective of ensuring the citizen’s sovereignty is protected and the collective commitment of parties present to ensure an electoral process that safeguards no citizen is disenfranchised from the democratic process.
“At the end of a very useful and inspiring meeting, the following were agreed:
“INEC’s integrity and competence should be protected by all stakeholders and Nigerians. It is necessary, however, to insist on the utilization of capacities that represent independent audits of its systems and processes from now until the elections.
“Candidates and their supporters should recognize that all Nigerians look forward to this election as being the one that will produce a leadership that will make a difference between further decline and sustainable greatness.
“Nigerians expect a decent contest, a credible election, and a peaceful transition to great leadership from all three arms of government.
“Losers should accept defeat or seek redress in the court. At all costs, the elections must hold, and we must avoid throwing the country into crises over the elections.
“All Nigerians who have registered should be availed opportunities to vote. These include allowing those who are legally registered to collect their PVCs, and improving the security environment so that it does not disenfranchise voters on election day.
“The judiciary has a vital role in improving the quality of our democratic process, and this election will provide it with an opportunity to exercise its responsibility with the highest level of integrity and impartiality.
“Government should take steps to relieve the citizen of severe difficulties under which he lives at the moment. This will greatly improve the atmosphere under which the elections will hold.
“Students in tertiary institutions represent a critical segment in the entrenchment of our democracy. Government should allow students the time and all opportunities to vote in the elections.
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