Apex Igbo Socio-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has backed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the cancellation of the 2023 general elections, urging the federal government to curb the insecurity challenges in the country.
Ohanaeze added that failure of the federal government to discharge its responsibility of protecting lives and properties of Nigerians may compel the electoral body to postpone the 2023 elections.
Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, made this known in a statement he issued to Journalists on Thursday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.
According to him, Obviously unpopular politicians and party candidates have heated up the polity and created an opening for violence and insecurity to mar the presidential election day.
The statement read in part “Unfortunately, these sponsors of bandits and terrorists are out to scuttle the use of the BVAS by INEC so that they can subvert the collective will of Nigerians at the polls.
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“This is not the first time election dates are shifted for inescapable justifications in Nigeria. In 2011 and 2019 elections days were rescheduled for reasons to achieve credible, free and fair elections, so rather than having inconclusive, fraudulent and manipulated elections through insecurity challenges and violent processes that will destroy the credibility and integrity of the 2023 elections, it is better that INEC postpones or cancel 2023 elections.
“No matter the constitutional challenges facing the nation, the consequences of a manipulated, fraudulent and dubious electoral process will be a threat to our Democracy”.
The highest Igbo decision-making body, urged Nigerians to be ready for the 2023 elections, adding that if the process is compromised and INEC uses the insecurity challenges as an excuse to compromise election results against the expectations of Nigerians, there might be chaos and violent protests.
“It’s better to have a peaceful transition even if it’s through transitional or interim government.
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