Former Senate President David Mark has urged stakeholders in the electoral process and Nigerians alike to rise to the challenges of conducting free, fair, credible, and acceptable elections that will stand the test of time in February.

This is contained in a statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, on Sunday in Minna.

“All the stakeholders, including the INEC, the political parties, the security agencies, the media and civil society organisations, should take the exercise as a call to national service to ensure hitch-free polls,” he said.

The former Senate helmsman stated this in his New Year goodwill message to Nigerians. 

“I crave an electoral process that is devoid of irregularities. I hope for an election result that will not attract litigation, where the loser willingly congratulates the winner.

“This is the foundation and a sure way towards the socio-political and economic emancipation of the country,“ he said.

He noted that Nigeria has had a checkered political history regarding electioneering challenges and hoped that the past experiences would guide the conduct of the 2023 elections.

Mr Mark was, however, optimistic that the outcome of the 2023 elections would be satisfactory to all stakeholders if all the actors complied with the rules of the game.

He cautioned against electoral violence that could cause grave danger to the country.

He, therefore, urged candidates to the elections to educate their supporters against any act that could undermine the process.

Mr Mark reminded gladiators that everything must be done to protect and preserve the interests and territorial integrity of the country.

“Whichever way it goes, we have no other country than Nigeria,” he said.

( NAN)