An Ondo State based social media group, Reformation Vanguard platform (RVP) has urged Nigerians, particularly residents of Ondo State to maintain and respect the rules guiding the electoral process in the forthcoming elections.
According to the group, this is to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible polls on Saturday 25th Feb and 11th March for the Presidential/National Assembly and Governorships/ House of Assembly elections respectively.
The Chief Administrator of the group, Barr. Wale Obanigba in a statement issued in Akure on Wednesday, urged eligible voters to exercise their franchise by electing candidates of their choice freely and wisely.
The statement was made available to Roving Reporters Online by Ralph Oguntibeju, Head of Media and Public Communication of the group.
The statement reads in part “The 2023 General Elections affords us another opportunity to elect credible leaders into various offices as stipulated in the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria as amended. This is one of the cardinal pillar of democracy, which allows participatory governance, where citizens took part in the nation building process.
“We must therefore, conduct ourselves to uphold our collective commitment in ensuring a peaceful and inclusive election”.
He said further, “all political parties, their loyalists and supporters must ensure and recognize that peace is key to a sustainable democracy and desist from any form of thuggery and hooliganism that can disrupt the forthcoming coming general elections”.
The Group Administrator further stressed the need for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain unbiased as an umpire in the electoral processes.The People’s expectations are high, hence INEC must live up to expectations.
“If the process is credible, fair and free it will reinforce the trust of the citizens to the electoral process in future elections. The most fundamental principle defining elections is that it must reflect the wishes of the majority of the people” Obanigba said.
He also called on the Security Operatives deployed to the state for the elections to pay close attention to any form of threats or sinister plans by hoodlums and unscrupulous elements who may want to disrupt the elections. He urged them to deal decisively with anyone caught with electoral malpractices in accordance to the laws of the land.
