The minority caucus in the House of Representatives has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take very firm steps to put in place all necessary arrangements that will guarantee free, fair, credible and transparent general elections in 2023.
The minority caucus stressed that the Federal Government must use the occasion of the June 12 Democracy Day to commit to processes that will check electoral manipulations, guarantee the security of voters and ensure that only votes cast by Nigerians in their respective polling units count at the end of the elections.
Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader of the House said this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
He said the hallmark of democracy is the ability of the people to freely choose their leaders under an unrestricted, fair and transparent process that guarantee that their expressed will at the ballot for a truly democratic and people-oriented government is not subverted.
“The Minority Caucus is indeed saddened that under the APC government, the tenets of democracy; its principle of adherence to Rule of Law, justice, equity, freedom, transparency in governance and national unity which Chief MKO Abiola died for have all been trampled underfoot by dictatorial and anti-democratic proclivities.
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“As lawmakers, our caucus is disturbed that under the APC government, abuse of human rights, disregard to rules, suppression of citizens, nepotism, impositions, barefaced injustices, lawlessness, unbridled corruption, impunity, extreme insensitivity to the sensibilities of Nigerians as well as electoral manipulations have become the order of the day.
“Indeed, this is not the way to go. The Minority Caucus urges President Buhari to use the occasion of June 12 Democracy Day to leave a legacy by taking decisive steps to realign our nation towards the part of Constitutional Order, strict adherence to Rule of Law, credible elections, respect for the rights of citizens and transparency in handling the affairs of our nation,” the statement read in parts.
The minority caucus however urged Nigerians not to despair but remain resolute in the collective determination to entrench the tenets of democracy in the country by fully participating in the current electoral process.
“Our caucus urges Nigerians especially those who do not believe in our electoral process because of past manipulations, to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and be ready to participate in the elections as our Caucus is already taking very strong steps with other pro-democracy bodies to ensure that votes cast by Nigerians in this 2023 general elections certainly will count.
“The Minority Caucus extols the courage, selflessness and patriotism of Chief MKO Abiola who made immense sacrifices and paid the supreme price for the entrenchment of democracy in our country.
“We therefore urge leaders at all levels to uphold this legacy by carrying out their responsibilities in line with the demands of justice, equity, fairness and adherence to rules,” it added.
