General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chairman of the National Peace Committee and a former head of state, has warned eligible Nigerians not to sell their votes in the general elections of 2023.
The National Peace Committee met Thursday in Minna behind closed doors, and Abubakar talked to reporters shortly after the meeting.
He said, “I appeal to Nigerians, especially the electorate, to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner as the programme of electoral process is about to be implemented.
“Don’t sell your votes but vote for credible leaders that would provide basic infrastructure that would enhance the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
He claimed that the peaceful conduct of elections was the only way for honest and trustworthy legislators to be elected.
“If we want to have it good, we must work towards electing responsible to manage our nation resources for optimal performance”, he said.
He claimed that only if eligible Nigerians would abstain from all forms of violence and refrain from selling their voter registration cards would the desired goals of having effective democratic governance be achieved.
Additionally, he urged politicians, particularly those running for public office, to engage in ethical politics both before and after general elections.
He claimed that only if the political elite could persuade their supporters to abstain from all forms of violence and thuggery, would peaceful electon be possible.
Mahmoud Yakubu, the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Body (INEC), stated that the commission was fully equipped to hold credible, free, and open elections.
He also urged politicians to work with the commission to carry out the electoral process successfully.
He urged the media to educate eligible Nigerians about the risks associated with political thuggery and violence.
“We at the commission are battle ready to provide a level-playing platform for the smooth implementation of all the electoral process,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, Etsu Nupe Yahaya Abubakar, Bishop Hassan Kukah, Gen. Martins Agwai, and Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
The stakeholders group for the nationwide peaceful conduct of political campaigns includes Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and Mike Otedola.