2023 Off-Cycle Election: Group Calls for Transparent, Peaceful Elections

Ahead of off-circle elections in three states comprising of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States on Saturday – a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has called on the electorates in the three states to file-out in large numbers to exercise their franchise without any fear of intimidation, harrassment or any form of molestation.

The Group stated that with the level of security guaranteed by all the Security Agencies operating in Nigeria during the election, it is expected that there would be relative peace throughout the election.

In a statement issued and signed by the National Coordinator of the Group,  Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, it appealed to INEC to ensure free, transparent elections and early arrival of polling materials and functionaries to all polling locations.

Outdated and uncivilised

On the threat of strike before, during and after the elections, the Group appealed  to the Labour and Industrial Unions to resolve all disagreements  through dialogue and collective bargaining as contained in the Labour Laws, explaining that using strike as weapon  to resolve industrial crisis is outdated and uncivilised.

The Group also appealed to all the Security Agencies involved in the elections in the three states, not to treat any electoral infraction with levity, stating that distruption of elections in whatever form must be dealt with promptly according to the law.

Called for caution

On the issue of prevention of flights from Abuja Airport to Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri and shutting down of utilities in Imo State by Labour Unions, the Group called for caution stating that Security Forces would not watch helplessly when matters concerning national security is being taken with levity.

He urged citizens to watch any of their action that would bring them in conflict with the constituted authorities and Law Enforcement Agencies.

The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria said one of its mandates was to support governments at all levels to sustain peace, stability and progress of the nation.

It therefore admonished Nigerian Labour activists to give peace a chance by not meddling in political affairs, rather, they should remain focused on their labour struggles devoid of political interests otherwise they would be misunderstood.

The group called on the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Nkieruka Onyejeocha who might be in the Country presently (as Lawyer Simon Lalong is away in Geneva for ILO Conference) to rise to the challenge posed by recent threat to Nation’s industrial peace.

It encouraged the labour to opt for settlement of the imbroglio arising from botched labour protest in Owerri last week on the reported manhandling of the President of NLC,  Comrade Joe Ajaero, so that the matter could be solved amicably.

Recurring decimal

It reiterated its call for punishment of electoral offenders, pointing out that electoral offences including violence leading to loss of lives have been a recurring decimal due to lack of serious consequence for offenders in the past.

The group also called on the Federal Government not to further delay the constitution of National Electoral Offences Commission (NEOC) to deal with past and fresh electoral offences to curb election violence and malpractices.

It appealed to the Labour and Industrial Union Leaders in the Country to patriotically separate labour issues from political matters, pointing out that labour leaders must insulate themselves from partisan politics so as not be accused of political partisanship and parochialism.

Lateefah Ibrahim