West African Elders advocate peaceful guber, credible state assembly polls

The West Africa Elders Forum (WAEF) has called for fair and peaceful gubernatorial and state assembly elections on Saturday, March 18.

In a statement jointly signed by John Mahama, former president of Ghana, and Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s former president, the forum charged security authorities to be alert to their responsibilities and check any unlawful activities during the elections.

The forum urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect the integrity of the electoral process by conducting the elections in accordance with the laws of the country. 

WAEF encouraged INEC to address the challenges identified by various stakeholders during the February 25 elections, while also commending Nigerians for their peaceful disposition. 

“The Mission urges political parties, candidates, and their supporters to carry out their civic responsibilities within the ambit of the law and refrain from acts that could lead to violence and the breakdown of law and order during and after the polls,” the statement reads. 

“The Forum urges the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security operatives, and other stakeholders to act in accordance with the laws of the land and exercise their constitutional responsibilities in a manner that will promote peace and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

“There is, therefore, the need for the electoral body to take into account the complaints raised by the different stakeholders, including local and international observers, during the presidential and national assembly elections and make a commitment to resolving those challenges.

“We reiterate our earlier statement made after the presidential and national assembly elections that Nigeria is a major stakeholder in the sustainability of democracy in West Africa.

“The responsibility of maintaining the nation’s thriving democracy and the general peace of our sub-region rests on all our shoulders, especially on the credibility of INEC and other election management bodies in West Africa, during elections.

“WAEF also commends Nigerians for their peaceful disposition and faith in the nation’s democracy, despite some of the challenges of the process. We wish Nigeria a peaceful poll and urge everyone to be patriotic and law-abiding in their activities.”