A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has called on the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to allow the rule of law and democracy to prevail in the election process of the leadership of the National Assembly.
They also called on the international organizations and Communities to exercise restraint in submitting to the sentiments of some politicians, whom it said are hell-bent on destabilizing the country.
The convener of the Centre for Grassroots Development and Crime Prevention, Prof. Dosu Malomo, who led other CSOs at a media interaction in Abuja, said Nigeria was in dire need of the support of its friends at this critical time of transition.
The university don said it was imperative that the international community, the Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, Tinubu and other politicians refrain from imposition in order to salvage Nigeria’s nascent democracy in the interest of Africa’s stability and the world at large.
“The CGDCP reaffirms its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic development and consolidation. We believe that a peaceful, credible and inclusive 10th Assembly leadership elections will enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of the legislature, and foster national unity and stability. Therefore, in the next few days, we shall continue to engage political parties, stakeholders and Civil Society Organizations across the six Geo-Political Zones in the States of Gombe/Bauchi, Ondo/Osun Enugu/Imo to support free and fair election in the 10th Assembly”, he said.
Reeling out their positions, he said they unequivocally condemned the zoning of key National Assembly leadership positions to various regions in the country by the ruling party.
He added: “We condemn all utterances and unguarded statements promoted directly or through proxy by any politician or religious leader along ethnic, regional or religious sentiment capable of inciting violence in Nigeria, especially at this critical period of our democratic transition.
“Nigerians should not fall into a trap of any sentiments to serve the interest of any desperate and greedy political leaders. All aggrieved politicians should stick to legal process for redress as provided by our legal system, and should desist from threatening, intimidating and discrediting the same system he or she is seeking to serve.”
