- The Federal Government has welcomed the statements from the United States and the United Kingdom concerning the 2019 elections
- The government also supported the stance of the two countries threatening punitive measures against election riggers and perpetrators of electoral violence
- The countries had on Thursday, January 24, demanded credible and peaceful election in Nigeria
The Federal Government has welcomed the statements from the United States and the United Kingdom demanding credible and peaceful election in Nigeria and threatening punitive measures against election riggers and perpetrators of electoral violence.
In a statement issued in Ilorin on Friday, January 24, the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Federal Government is delighted that the statements came after it alerted the nation, “to the machinations of some opposition elements who are working to scuttle the 2019 polls through widespread violence.”
“A few days ago, we alerted the nation to the plot by the opposition to orchestrate widespread violence in the country, using insurgents and criminal elements within and outside the country.
“Their plan is to scuttle the election and then push for an interim government, having realized they can't win a free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.
“The fact that those statements came after we issued our red alert, which is based on credible intelligence, shows that the international community is closely monitoring events ahead of the election.
“We urge them to keep a close tab on the desperate opposition, whose language, actions and undisguised threats are antithetical to the conduct of peaceful polls,” the minister said.
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Alhaji Mohammed said Nigerians and the international community should take seriously the assurance of a credible and violence-free election that has been consistently given by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said the APC-led administration is very confident of victory in the forthcoming elections, adding that a party that was not so desperate as to rig election while in opposition had no business rigging election or perpetrating violence now that it is in power.
The minister called on the international community to keep a close eye on those who are spending more time on a dubious strategy of scuttling the polls than campaigning to win in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election.
“As their campaign flounders and their strategies collapse, they have resorted to seeking power by subterfuge. That's why they are doing everything possible to discredit an election that has yet to be held by unleashing their attack dogs on INEC, the police and the entire electoral process.
“On our part, we have confidence in the electoral process and the institutions saddled with organizing and securing the election. That's why we have been busy campaigning vigorously across the country, attracting unprecedented, organic crowds everywhere we go.
“The party that has a history of rigging polls is well known to Nigerians. The party that has a history of using security forces to unleash violence in order to steal the people's votes is well known to Nigerians.
“The party that organized an election that was later described as flawed by its own 'winning' presidential candidate is well known to Nigerians. That party is not the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.
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Meanwhile, a civil society organisation, Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES), has launched a campaign against violence as Nigeria prepares for the 2019 general elections scheduled for February 16 and March 2.
The campaign tagged 'I Stand 4 Peace' is geared towards raising awareness that will engender peace, before, during and after elections.
Speaking at a press briefing/media launch of the campaign on Monday, January 21, Oche-Precious Edeh, the convener of the group, said YES will collaborate with other groups to embark on campaign tour of the country during the campaign.
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