Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Attahiru Jega, Martin Agwai and others have called for peaceful and credible elections slated for February 25 and March 11 but noted that President Muhammadu Buhari and CBN’s ill-timed policies are “poisoning” Nigeria’s economy and politics.

They explained this in a statement co-signed by other members of the Nigerian Working Group on Peacebuilding and Governance, a coalition of eminent Nigerians. Others are Fatima Balla, Nguyan Feese, Jibrin Ibrahim, Usman Bugaje, Aisha Murtala Muhammed-Oyebode and Chris Kwaja.

“The political, social and economic environment in the country is being poisoned by ill-timed policy measures such as the naira redesign policy and rising tension between the Presidency, the central bank and state governors,” they explained. “While the cash crunch is crippling the economy and increasing hardship, we are concerned about the dangers posed by the anti-social and anti-democratic actions of some of the political actors.”

According to the group, the 2023 elections will allow Nigeria to make remarkable progress towards strengthening and consolidating its democracy.

“Our nation is preparing for one of the most monumental markers of any democracy on February 25. We will exercise our rights and responsibilities as citizens to choose our next president, governors and legislators. The members of the working group on peacebuilding and governance in Nigeria, composed of civic and religious leaders, wish to lend our voices to this important, exciting and naturally tension-filled period,” noted the group.

It added, “Our country has made remarkable progress toward strengthening and consolidating our democracy and this year marks 24 years since the restoration of democratic, multiparty constitutional rule in Nigeria. We can be proud also that just as in 2015, we achieved the country’s first-ever peaceful presidential transition from an incumbent to an opposition candidate.”

The concerned Nigerians explained that the elections also “provide yet another opportunity for a peaceful transition of power through a credible process.”

The group, however, expressed concerns about worrying signs that major challenges still plagued the democratic culture of Nigeria, stating that there are significant signs that many in the political class still deploy violence and purveying fake, hate and dangerous messages.

They said the culture of vote buying remained a significant threat to the ability of Nigerians to vote for credible and competent candidates despite the ongoing currency change crisis, which might make citizens even more vulnerable to inducement.

The group urged Nigerians to be more determined to defend their rights to a free, fair and credible election, calling on all election stakeholders to remain vigilant in ensuring peaceful and credible electoral outcomes determined by citizens.

They also urged election stakeholders to ensure that the elections were held per the applicable laws, rules and regulations and based on common respect for every citizen’s humanity and the country’s democracy.

They added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and their supporters and the Nigeria security forces had a special responsibility in the period leading up to the elections, during and after.

(NAN)