Ahead of the general polls, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have urged the federal government to guarantee the safety of citizens.
The groups also dissuade citizens who plan to travel to their states of origin for fear of being attacked after the poll.
This was contained in a joint statement signed by ACF Secretary, Murtala Aliyu; leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and NEF Director of Advocacy and Engagement, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, on Tuesday.
It read in part: “The meeting noted the need for responsible conduct by all politicians and vigilance by other leaders and elders towards ensuring that the country produces the best leadership possible under the most peaceful conditions.
“Consequently, the meeting resolved as follows: That all Nigerians have a role to play in ensuring the conduct of credible elections and a peaceful transition to the next administration;
“All voters must be availed the opportunities to freely exercise their political choices;
“Nigerians living in all parts of the country must be encouraged to stay put, under secure circumstances to vote and exercise their franchise.
“Government at all levels, security agencies and host communities should give every Nigerian, wherever they live and work, assurances of their safety and the protection of their rights during elections.
“We urge our fellow citizens who may be planning to travel to areas of origin to resist every temptation to do so.
“Let them make their staying back a clear demonstration of real willingness to protect their rights to live wherever they are and participate in all election activities like all other Nigerians.
“Nigerians should be aware that these are defining elections, wherein leaders should be elected on the basis of competence and the capacity to drive our economic development, social justice and political unity forward.
“We hold it as a sacred principle that no Nigerian should be penalized for holding an opinion or exercising his free choice within the confines of the law.
“We believe that it is possible to conduct these elections without violence or rupture to our deep roots in all parts of Nigeria.
“Indeed, we believe no one will benefit from the subversion of credible elections or a peaceful atmosphere under which they will hold.
“Groups such as ours have a responsibility to reduce distances between our communities and build bridges that should strengthen our unity and security.
“Therefore, we wholeheartedly commit to continue to engage in exploring avenues that will improve inter-community relations and the search for good leaders and a country that answers to all our needs.
“We make the above statements, observations and declarations conscious of our duty as elders, and convinced that oneness offers us the best chance of mutual survival under an equitable sociopolitical order.”
