A group, Rescue Nigeria, says nothing must stop the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election slated for February 25 and March 11, 2023.
Rescue Nigeria, an organ of the Initiative for Good and Informed Citizenship, also enjoined Nigerians to choose peace over discord, and imbibe the highest ideals of citizenship before, during, and after the forthcoming general election.
It said this in a statement issued by its conveners, Biodun Durojaiye and Tunde Odediran, on Monday.
The group warned that lessons must be learnt from history, as prevailing conditions in Nigeria are increasingly similar to June 12, 1993, when the government of General Ibrahim Babangida manufactured incidents to mar the outcome of an election won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
It, therefore, urged Nigerians to be vigilant and prepared to protect democracy and freedom by working together to ensure that man-made difficulties do not stop them from voting.
“We are worried that as the election gets closer, ordinary Nigerians are faced with conditions created by the government that could disenfranchise them. We are worried about the increases in the price of petroleum, leading to decreased citizen mobility.
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“We are worried about the limitations on the currency causing widespread disruption to normal life. And we are worried that these and other factors taken together could affect the ability of Nigerians to vote for candidates of their choices. If these conditions persist, the elections may not be free and fair.
“The failure to stop the Central Bank from making life too difficult for the common man, the scarcity of petroleum, the unease everywhere and the over-heating of the polity are occurring at the wrong time. President Mohammadu Buhari is ultimately responsible for conditions that erode confidence in the outcome of this election,” Rescue Nigeria stated.
It noted that local and international pro-democracy organisations must be at high alert, saying words and promises alone cannot guarantee a smooth transition of power in Nigeria.
“We must be skeptical and protect the election before voting starts, during voting, at counting and until we have the correct results. The citizens have a duty to protect democracy,” it added.
According to Rescue Nigeria, Nigerians are worn out after months of intense politicking that has divided the people along ethnic, religious and other demographic lines, adding that these standard of living issues were completely man-made and avoidable.
“It is time to equip the people with the resources needed for good living, and that includes free movement, access to cash, safe neighborhoods and the absence of government-induced headaches,” the group said.
It further stated it is insufficient for the government to promise successful elections without backing it up with conditions that provide the confidence that the elections will hold, safety will be guaranteed during the election, and guarantees that votes will count.
Rescue Nigeria, however, condemned the closure of the universities by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) for the general election, saying lengthy closures heighten fears and encourages loss of productivity while doing nothing to promote democracy.
“It is a hasty decision to send university students home for such a long time when they had been idle for much of 2022. We should not make elections look like an impending war and that is exactly what the Federal Government’s decision looks like.
“Civilized and democratic societies do not make such decisions. We do not need to strike fears in the minds of our people. It is just an election,” it added.
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