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…Say, he deserves kudos for conducting peaceful, hitch free elections
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Civil Society Organisations under the aegis of Coalition for Great Nigeria (CGN) said arrangements have been concluded to organise national prayers in honour of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , Professor Yakubu Mahmood over improved conduct of general elections in the county .
According to the group , it will be unfair not to acknowledge the record of performance of the INEC during the 2023 general elections and subsequent staggered elections.
The group,which came out strongly against some persons, who claimed they wanted to organise prayers to curse the INEC Chairman for allegedly selling the 2023 election to the highest bidder, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the prayers for improved elections would be conducted across the six geo-political zones .
The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Umar Shehu condemned the idea of laying a curse on the INEC boss, describing it as, “a sponsored and deliberate attempt to ridicule the election umpire for no just reason”.
“We did a review of the whole process of the 2023 general elections and discovered that they were relatively better than the previous elections conducted in the country, thus our decision to pray for more improvement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We urge Nigerians to shun the detractors parading themselves as prayer warriors in the face of an improved performance electoral process under the able and exemplary leadership of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood.
“Instead of gathering together to lay curse on Professor Yakubu Mahmood , we expect constructive criticism that could help to identify gray areas that require adjustments.
“We are appealing to Nigerians to look beyond 2023 elections and jettison of idea of retrogressive growth and development .
“In fact, we have concluded arrangements to organide a national prayer of Gratitude and Appreciation for INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood.
” We considere it apt to pass a vote of confidence on the INEC boss, because of the achievements he recorded during the 2023 polls”.
While praising him for conducting the most peaceful election in Nigeria, especially on the account of rancour free process and people not killed during the elections with considerations that opposition parties won some critical states, it said
“There is a need to consolidate on the gains rather than pains. For us as members of Civil Society Organisations, it will amount to mere distractions and attention seeking for anyone to consider laying a curse on INEC boss.
“What we expect is a kudos for the painstaking efforts in the conduct of 2023 elections across the country with remarkable achievements.
“It is totally unfortunate and unfounded for those characters “Prayer warriors “to accuse INEC of selling elections to the highest bidder .It is a total falsehood and should be disregarded.” The statement said.
