By Abdullahi Shugaba

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State said that the election of Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu as President-elect of Nigeria, is like putting a ‘square peg in a square hole’.

Masari stated this while briefing newsmen in Katsina shortly after Tinubu was declared winner of the Saturday, Feb. 25, Presidential election.

The result of the presidential election was announced by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu at 4: 15 a.m. in Abuja.

According to him, Bola Tinubu is resouceful and has the brain and capacity to rule Nigeria.

He said that God had vindicated them by disappointing those who doubted their ability to elect Tinubu as president.

“We have delivered because we turned out en-mass with our supporters and voted Bola Tinubu as our President.

“I am still appealing to our supporters to come out in large numbers, and elect Umar Dikko-Radda, to succeed me as next Governor of Katsina State in the Gubernatorial election slated for Match 11,” Masari said.

He said Dikko- Radda was a fine leader that would consolidate on the gains he had achieved in the the state.

While commending INEC for conducting a free and fair election, Masari urged the electoral body not to listen to unpatriotic individuals.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng.)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The National Coalition for Peace and Unity (NCPU) has advised political parties and their supporters against utterances capable of tearing the country apart.

The coalition’s Protem Secretary General, Mr Cairo Ojougboh, gave the caution in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ojougboh alleged that statements credited to some party officials that the #ENDSARS protest would be a child’s play, if the election do not go their way, called for urgent attention.

“Nigerians should note that in a moment of crisis, the poor masses are mostly the victims, while the rich have ways of taking care of themselves.

“We should be mindful of inciteful statements capable of destroying a peaceful setting,” he said.

He further explained that the social media has a way of misdirecting the public, noting that information coming from such channels should not be taken whole heartedly.

He urged the public to be mindful of the reports they believe because INEC was the body constitutionally empowered to announce election results.

“While we are cautioning the public to be watchful and filter the reports out there before drawing conclusion, it is also very important to note that false reports have a way of causing serious crisis.

“Drawing conclusion before understanding the scenario is not good for peaceful co-existence, because when the truth eventually comes out, the lies and false information will dictate the pace and action.

“So, we are calling on the public to be careful at this point in time because sentiments are high and people differ in opinions and approach to issues,” he said.

According to Ojougboh, the objective of the group is to manage the expected post election crisis in order to secure the unity of the nation.

“We have been telling Nigerians to walk the part of peace, so that the nation will not engulf in flame.”

He, however, congratulated Nigerians for coming out en-mass to vote during the presidential and National Assembly elections. (NAN)  (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Philip Yatai

The AID Foundation, a non-governmental organisation promoting good governance, has cautioned Nigerians against making unguided utterances and hate speech over the issues arising from the collation of the Presidential and national Assembly Election results.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Bonet, who made the call in a statement in Kaduna, urged Nigerians to remain calm and patient/

Bonet applauded the electorate for conducting themselves peacefully during the elections.

He warned that the social media rhetoric and actions amongst others show early warning signs of a route that may not help the already tense atmosphere.

According to him, this must be checked as a build up to the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.

“We understand that this is a time of great anticipation and excitement, but we must also remember to be mindful of our words and actions.

“As we wait for the results, it is important to also remember that the outcome of the election is not the end of the process, but the beginning of a new chapter in our nation’s history.

“Our emotions must not get the better of us, to the extent of resorting to violence or other forms of intimidation.

“If there is one thing that we must do together irrespective of political party affiliations, it is to ensure that peace is sustained,” he said.

The executive director stressed that achieving peace at this moment would require those announced as winners to be humble in their celebration (utterances and actions) of victory.

He also urged those that were defeated to remain calm, and if felt cheated, gather all their evidence, and seek redress in accordance with the law.

This, he said, they can do without engaging in any form of hate speech or other forms of inflammatory rhetoric.

“We call on religious leaders to use their platforms to speak against hate speech and violent conduct.

“We must all work together to create a more peaceful and tolerant Nigeria.

“We also call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to use this opportunity to win back the trust of the people by doing its best in addressing citizen’s expectations.

“Most of all, INEC should work towards delivering the will of the people to strengthen the democratic process,” Bonet said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Naomi Sharang
Independent Foreign Observers Mission in Nigeria has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The mission which gave the commendation in its preliminary report on the just concluded election in Abuja on Tuesday described the poll as peaceful and transparent.

Mr David Furnad of the United States read the report.

“The presidential elections in Nigeria recorded a high turnout of voters nationwide.

“It can also be regarded as one of the most transparent elections in the country’s history with the significant candidates recording victories and defeats.

“The presidential election witnessed a comparatively large turnout of voters in the various geopolitical zones compared to other general elections in the country.

“The South-west and the South-east zones witnessed the highest number of voters turnout, with eligible voters demonstrating an uncommon level of patience to exercise their franchise”.

“INEC deployed both sensitive and non sensitive materials to voting points on time, even though the report recorded some delays in some areas, which it said did not deter voters from performing their civic duties.

“There was minimal incidences of vote buying across the country. The reason adduced is that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) randomly visited polling units unannounced to arrest anyone involved in such acts.

“The country’s recent redesign of currency reduced vote buying to the barest minimum.”

The Mission praised some political parties and their candidates for honouring the Peace Accord and not inciting their supporters.

Those present at the presentation of the report include: Messrs Rudolf Elmendorp, Stuart Young, Stuart Dyer, Francois DeRobaix and Jeffrey Fry.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza