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From Godwin Tsa, AbujaA Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Constitutional lawyer, Chief Oba Maduabuchi has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other critical stakeholders in the electoral process to ensure free, fair, peaceful and credible election this Saturday.
The charge was equally directed to the political parties and their candidates, agents of candidates and political parties, the security agencies, the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the Faith-based organisations.
Maduabuchi who spoke on Friday ahead of the election,
said the whole world was looking up to Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, to overcome what is so telling and associated with the conduct of the general election.
According to him, “it is also very important that the good people of Nigeria recognise this fact and go into the elections and come out with a peaceful Nigeria, stable country and keep their eyes on the development of Nigeria and its people.”
He said given the level of preparations and importance of the election , INEC would not be excused for failure to be credible in the conduct of the polls.
He equally called on the youths to shun all actions that may scuttle the electoral process but to rather remain resolute to cast their votes, defend and ensure that their votes count, while remaining focused on ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections.
“My advice to INEC is very simple. INEC must realize that minus God, they are the next organization that determine the faith of our country.
” INEC must realize the enormity of its responsibility because where INEC does not uphold our choice, then, the destiny of this country will be in jeopardy.
“INEC must equally realize that it has no any option than to be impartial so that the will of the masses will always prevail.
” Both INEC and adhoc staff must be alive to their responsibilities in ensuring a free, fair, peaceful and credible elections.
He called on Nigerians to shun all acts of electoral malpractices and to vote according to their conscience.
“Nigerians should know that election is our destiny and that of our future generations. They should vote and protect their votes in ensuring that it counts.
On the part of the various candidates, the senior lawyer called on them to be ready to accept defeat when they lost and not to resort to violence when the result did not go in their favour.
” If you are voted out, go home and rest and prepare for another election. You must exhibit maturity and high sense of responsibility because election is not a do or die affairs. Accept the outcome of the election where it is free and fair. But where there are perceived manipulations, they should not send the youths to the streets, but approach the election tribunals for redress,” Maduabuchi admonished.
