Caution
By Kevin Okunzuwa
Benin, July 16, 2018(NAN) An NGO, Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa (CGGEJA), has called on stakeholders in the political development of Nigeria to refrain from truncating the democratic process of the country.
Mr John Mayaki, the Country Director of the NGO, who made the appeal in a statement on Monday in Benin said they could do this by shunning actions and in actions that could truncate such process, ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“This is the time for all of us to remain circumspect in all our dealings and utterances if we have to continue to live as one entity, as Nigerians.
“Other African nations that see Nigeria as their big brother are watching.
“Everyone, including leaders, politicians and security chiefs should learn to desist from taking undemocratic actions or making inflammatory statements capable of causing chaos.
“We have watched and observed that inciting comments has continued to rent the air and waves and on the pages of newspapers from those we hold in high esteem.
“We want to say that such inflammatory comments are capable of exacerbating security situation in the country, if not quickly checked,“ he said.
Mayaki also expressed concern over the emerging challenge of vote buying, especially during elections in Nigeria.
“Though we commend the reported peaceful conduct in the July 14, Ekiti state governorship election, we frown at the worrying trend of vote-buying that has escalated to desperate levels.
“This trend portends grave danger to democracy in Nigeria as it undermines the responsibility of citizens to freely choose their leaders, it also threatens the essence of democracy.
“Vote-buying represents a major setback to the gains made in Nigerian electoral process and denies citizens the power to hold elected officials accountable and responsive to the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.“(NAN)
KOO/DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed