The National Peace Committee (NPC) has expressed fears over what it calls “open threats of intimidation and violence by certain elements within the society.”
The Chairman of the committee and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday appealed for calm in all the 28 states that the election would be held tomorrow.
According to him, the plea had become necessary because of the open threats of intimidation and violence by certain elements who are using ethnic and religious labels within societies to achieve their intentions of voter suppression.
The former head of state advanced that just like the NPC called for calm hitherto the presidential and National Assembly elections on February 25, 2023, the committee again is pleading for calm ahead of tomorrow’s elections.
Abdusalami stated, “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 a 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 suppression.
“We appeal to the security and law enforcement agencies to remain alert and to bring to book anyone, no matter their position in society, who poses a threat to the peaceful conduct of the elections. We encourage all citizens not to be intimidated and to go out and exercise their God-given rights.”
The NPC chairman also prayed for guidance for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the poll’s conduct restores confidence to the masses.
He as well appreciated on behalf of the committee all peace-loving Nigerians, including the security agencies.
 has expressed fears over what it calls “open threats of intimidation and violence by certain elements within the society.”){kind=link}