Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
A group on the platform of Network of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (NOCSON), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to write his name in gold by ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the forthcoming general elections.
The group made the appeal on the occasion of the 2023 Electoral Sensitization and Mobilisation Summit with the theme: “Role of Civil Society in Ensuring a Violence-free, Fair and Credible 2023 Elections, held in Benin City.
Speaking at the event, the president of the group, Emmanuel Ogbidi, said President Muhammadu Buhari has done and spoken so much about how he has reformed the electoral process.
He said Nigerians will be pleased if he matches his words with actions by ensuring that credible elections are conducted in the forthcoming general elections.
“We call on Mr. President, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari to match words with actions and ensure all these institutions are given the free hand to carry out their constitutional duties to ensuring a violence free, fair and credible elections.
“This shall remain the last legacy your administration will leave with Nigerians.
“We urge you to first see yourself as the president of Nigeria, rather than a member of the ruling party”, Ogbidi said.
Ogbidi, while admonishing politicians on what to do to have credible elections, said candidates should play according to the rules of the game, noting that, as major stakeholders in every election, achieving a violence free, fair and credible elections largely depend on them.
On his part, Austin Osakue, said the problem confronting Nigerian elections are religion and ethnicity.
He said Nigerians must play down on religion and ethnicity in order to get the right leaders in place.
Also speaking, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Dankwara, said the civil society organizations play a significant role in nation building as they have the ability to influence the way and manner citizens react to things around them.
He urged the civil rights group to leverage on their influential ability to ensure a violence free elections in the country.