With two days to the off-circle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the National President of Almushahid Initiative for Transparency and Accountability (AITA), Ambassador Aminu Abubakar Majidadi, Thursday, has called on the electorates to learn from their past mistakes of selling their votes, and been used by politicians to eschew violence masterminded by bad politicians who will rule for four years.
“The forth coming Nov 11 governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States is in two days from now and as an NGO that is committed to the well being of this country, we in AITA wish to encourage all eligible voters in these States to turn out massively and exercise their franchise as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“Most importantly, we are reminding electorates to vote their conscience, credibility and competence, and not to repeat the past mistakes where electorates sold their votes and others voted base on tribal, religious or party affiliations. Nigerians must learn to vote the right people into power that will safeguard their future and that of their children”, Majidadi noted.
On the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Majidadi implore the election umpire, to perform their duties with every sense of patriotism and responsibility, knowing that the rules should be applied without fear or favour, and without let or hindrance. Nigerians will be watching!
Amb. Majidadi further urge the security agencies, charged with the role of ensuring law, order, and safety, to be diligent, alert, and conscientious. Peaceful elections across these three states on Saturday should be a minimum requirement. “Members of the Nigerian Police and Armed Forces deployed for election duty should be neutral and must conduct their duties in a way that demonstrates the highest level of professionalism. Nigerians will be watching”, he said.
In conclusion, AITA strongly advised candidates of the various political parties contesting including their political parties and supporters to be nonviolent before, during and after the election.
