Politics
THE National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, Sahara Deck, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rekindle the hope of Nigerians through credible elections.
The association made the call in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Friday.
The statement was co-signed by Capoon Sahara Deck, Comrade Olamide Oni and Enike-Charles Benetu, Capoon Grundziro Deck, New York Chapter.
The statement stated that Nigerians all over the world were following events closely, disclosing that they had never been so determined to participate in an electoral process and had vowed to make their votes count.
It said that INEC, the umpire of the 2023 polls, must prove its independence as the hopes and aspirations of more than 200 million people and Nigeria’s nationals abroad needed to be rekindled.
The statement added that the hopes of Nigerians both home and abroad remained high and that INEC must make its Bimodal Voter Registration System (BVAS) and other systems work in this 2023 elections to redeem its battered image.
According to the statement, mother Africa is watching, anticipating a reset in the trajectory of the continent’s economic and social growth.
“Many people have said that if Nigeria sneezes, other countries will catch cold, but the question many wanted answered to is that true?, would the giant of Africa live up to global expectations now or how soon?
”The commonwealth has assured the country of its continuous support for the promotion of processes and institutions of democracy in Nigeria,”.
The statement quoted commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland as saying that Nigeria elections “hold immense significance not just for the country, but for the entire African continent and the wider democratic world”.
“An estimated 93.4 million registered voters will participate in the elections in 176,846 polling units across 774 local government areas of Nigeria.
“Official data says there are more than 9.5 million newly registered voters; 40 percent of these people are mostly young citizen who are students.
“For Africa to attain its full potential and rightful place in global economic indices and in comity of nations, Nigeria must play its role as a catalyst and drive that quest.
“A free and fair election, as well as credible results, is the starting point,” it said.
The statement also said that NEC and security agencies must make sure the irregularities that bedeviled past elections were nipped in the bud.
It called on the two Organisations to curb the issue of vote buying, underage voting, thuggery, ballot box snatching, and declaration of questionable results that may led to a number of litigations.
According to the statement, a valid election is one that is devoid of the anomalies mentioned above and that it behoves on INEC to make the people proud.
It said that the commission must be independent of the presidency or other influences, adding that the strength of the institution was the fulcrum for growth, and that the masses expected nothing less than that.
It also called on Nigerian youths not to allow the political class to use them as perpetrators of violence, arson, thuggery, decimation of human lives and properties, and so on.
It said the youth must become the vanguard that would demand and lead the desired transformation the country was yearning for.
The statement also called to remind the current government that smooth transition of power was non-negotiable in a democratic society.
It expressed hope that in the coming years, Nigerians in the diaspora would be allowed to participate in the elections from their places of residence.
The statement also called on the Senate and the House of Representatives to work towards the realisation of e-voting, while wishing all Nigerians peaceful, free, and fair elections.
-(Culled from NAN)
KN
Tags: Comrade Olamide Oni INEC National Association of Seadogs
