Tony Udemba
South South People’s Conference (SSOPEC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to demonstrate to the global community that Nigeria can organise free and fair elections.
The group also reminded the Police and the Judiciary of their strategic roles in organising transparent and successful elections.
The group said post-election matters must not be allowed to constitute another headache for the nation.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Prof. S. F. Amakiri, Deputy Chairman, Chief C. O. Tawo and Secretary, Elder E. U. Nwala, the group noted that the history of the formation of ethnic and zonal socio-cultural organisations in Nigeria was replete with controversies and divisions, instead of being a strong platform for the unity of the entire country.
While calling on the leaders and promoters of ethnic and zonal cultural organisations to shun sectional interests and partisanship, the group insisted that it is time for ethnic and socio-cultural groups to promote both ethnic and national harmony.
“We strongly believe that the use of ethnic and socio-cultural organisations to advance personal interest inadvertently exposes such leaders to avoidable insults and abuses. This creates divisions within the ethnic group and the country, which is not healthy for our dear nation,” SOPPEC said.
The group further cautioned against endorsements and counter-endorsements by ethnic groups. They said such has become the order of the day and dangerous in fanning the embers of misunderstanding across the country.