By Patricia Amogu

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations known as the Global Network for Sustainable Development has expressed worry over the current situation in the country while urging Nigerians to remain calm.

The organisation therefore warned individuals, groups or political parties against provocative utterances capable of inciting society to violence

The National Co-ordinator of the group, Amb. Phil Roberts, gave the advice at a news conference  on Tuesday in Abuja.

“We are here in solidarity with the people of our dear Nation in such a historic moment as this, as a coalition of Civil Society Organisation’s, we represent the overall interests of the society.

“We are critical stakeholders in Democracy generally, and in the conduct of elections in particular, the most fundamental feature of democracy is free, credible and fair elections.

“We, therefore, express constructive views and concerns of our people in line with democratic tenets, and in compliance with all applicable provisions for the expression of civil and political opinions,” he said.

According to him, any deviations or departure from these vital elements renders the whole electoral process an exercise in futility.

“To speak out against electoral malpractices and rigging, should not be taken as public incitement to violence.

“As civil society organisations, we monitored the elections and from what we saw it is obvious that those inciting people to violence are those who  hired armed thugs to intimidate and harass citizens, making it difficult, if not impossible for them to freely exercise their franchise.

‘As watchdogs from the youth fronts, we want to use this medium to urge all politicians, political parties and their stakeholders to be mindful of the way they speak as the polity is already heated up.

”We, therefore, take the statement by one Mr. Dele Alake , Special Advicer, Media and Communication, All Progressive Congress , Presidential Campaign Council, for the apprehension of the cleric, Dr Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and others as a direct affront on democracy and freedom of speech in this country.

“As a free citizen of this country, and a major stakeholder in society, Dr Paul Enenche has the freedom to express his opinions in matters of national importance.”

Dr Salihu Dantata, Director of Security, Arewa Youths for Peace and Security, said that everyone had rights to speak and should not be stopped from expressing their views.

“Our fathers of Faith who have been speaking the truth should not be threatened , I see no reason why somebody should call for his arrest.

Pastor Love Sheyin, speaking on behalf of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)noted that strategic solutions should be brought forward to solve the issues revolving around the elections to dispel any form of violence among the youths.

They called on all political parties to also be careful in their choice of words in such a time as this because as patriots of this country we believe in  Nigeria. Thus we don’t have any other place to call home(NAN)(www.nannews.com)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Kingsley Okoye

Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, has congratulated the President-elect Sen. Bola Tinubu, and his Vice Sen. Kashim Shettima on their victory at the presidential election.

Abdullahi sent his congratulatory message in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said their emergence spoke so much about the unwavering confidence reposed in them as leaders with the distinct ability to take Nigeria on the next phase of its national journey.

He said the outcome of the presidential poll attested to Tinubu’s democratic credentials which suggested that Nigerians under his watch needed not worry about the independence of their institutions being compromised.

“They also need not to worry about their freedoms and rights being suppressed,” Abdullahi said.

He said he had no doubt that Tinubu’s goodwill had endeared Nigerians to embrace the All Progressives Congress (APC) which insisted on collective prosperity for all, irrespective of ethnic or religious backgrounds.

“It is my firm belief that your vision of “Renewed Hope” would consolidate and deliver on the policies of our great party already initiated by the administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Abdullahi, who is the Coordinator, Project 774 for Tinubu/Shettima 2023,a support group, also commended INEC for delivering on free and fair elections, remaining steadfast, in spite of challenging moments that threatened peaceful conduct of the exercise.

“The commission has, indeed, lived up to expectation in terms of improving on Nigeria’s electoral process.

“I wish the President-elect and his Vice President-elect, a fruitful tenure that would bring about unrivaled development, peace and progress to the nation and its people.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Idris Abdulrahman

By Aderogba George
A group, Nigerians in Diaspora for Asiwaju (NDA), on Wednesday advised the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to be magnanimous in victory and embrace his opponents in constituting his government.

The Director-General of the group, Mr Akin Badeji, gave this advice in a congratulatory message to Tinubu, in Abuja.

Badeji said that Tinubu had lived to fulfill his dream by emerging victorious in the presidential election.

He lauded the effort of the electorate and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as other stakeholders for standing by Tinubu and working for his victory.

He advised other political parties to accept the result in good fate, and not to resort to violence that could cause the loss of lives.

Badeji also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
for the good conduct of the election, adding that the new electoral amendment law had helped the process.

According to him, NDA hopes that the President-elect will take Nigeria to a higher level in the course of his administration.

He said that NDA believes that Tinubu would live up to the desire of Nigerians by providing them with good governance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Folasade Adeniran