Abdulsalami Expresses Concern Over Threats Ahead Of Gov Elections

By G9ija

As 28 states prepare to hold gubernatorial and legislative elections on Saturday, the National Peace Committee has called for calm amid concerns over the possibility of intimidation and violence.

The organization expressed its worry over what it described “open threats of intimidation and violence by certain elements within the society.”

Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, issued a statement on Thursday in Abuja stating that the call was necessitated by the open threats of intimidation and violence by certain elements within society who are using ethnic and religious labels to achieve their intentions of voters’ suppression.

Abdusalami said the NPC had been following up with the same appeal that it made ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25, 2023.

He said, “The presidential and National Assembly elections have come and gone. However, problems have arisen from the process of the collation, transmission and release of the final results. This has generated the crisis that we now find ourselves in. Notwithstanding all these, we are pleased and encouraged by the mature attitudes of the candidates who contested the presidential election.
“We are encouraged by the restraint they have exhibited and their commitment to seek justice through due process. This is in keeping with the spirit of the Peace Accord. We, therefore, appeal to the supporters of all the parties and our citizens to please follow the good example of their leaders and remain law-abiding till the process is brought to an end.

“This weekend, on March 18, 2023, the second round of elections for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly will be conducted. We are worried by the open threats of intimidation and violence by certain elements within society who are using ethnic and religious labels to achieve their intentions of voter’s suppression.

Abdulsalami conveyed his appreciation on behalf of the organization to peace-loving Nigerians and the security agencies.

He also expressed his hope that the Independent National Electoral Commission would take all necessary steps to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully and transparently, in order to gain the trust and confidence of all citizens.