Stakeholders in the Daura council area of Katsina have called for a calm, orderly, and hitch-free conduct of the February 25 and March 11 elections, expressing concerns that many Nigerians are going to the polls on empty stomachs.

The chairman of Katsina State Sports Council, Muhammad Daha, also the district head of the Baure council area, made the call on Friday in Daura ahead of Saturday’s presidential and federal parliamentary polls.

Mr Daha, who stressed the need for peace to reign during and after the elections, said, “The general election is coming amid security challenges, high cost of living, hence the need to sensitise the public and promote religious tolerance. As we pray for a peaceful election, we are calling on the citizens to be law-abiding during the exercise and beyond.”

He urged politicians, clerics, youths and other stakeholders to unite to spread peace throughout the election period and even beyond.

Former chairman of Daura local council, Kabir Royal, commended various steps taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) toward a hitch-free exercise.

He said, “Security agencies, community leaders, including religious leaders and stakeholders must be vigilant and take responsibility and support security efforts in the country.”

Mr Royal hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime for the security arrangements toward the elections and appealed to youths to distance themselves from thuggery and drug abuse.

Mr Buhari recently arrived in his country home Daura, where he will cast his vote on Saturday. 

(NAN)