By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as the security agencies in the country have been urged to make sincerity and honesty their watchwords, while also avoiding being partisan in their conduct during the 2023 general elections.
This charge was given by the President of a leading Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), African Grassroots Women Empowerment Foundation,.Mrs Ramata Gbadamosi.
According to her, it behoves the electoral umpire, as well as the security operatives not show preference for any political party or candidate in order to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the country.
The NGO boss also admonished the citizenry, particularly the youths, not to allow themselves to be used as destructive elements, but should rather make use of their youthful energy for progressive efforts.
Mrs Gbadamosi also charged the electorate to endeavour to make right choices by voting for credible candidates rather than the greedy politicians, saying: “Nigerians should this time around, vote for candidates or parties that genuinely love the people and not selfish and the greedy ones.”
She enjoined the candidates to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by taking the outcome of the election in good faith, charging the winners to also be magnanimous in victory and put in their best towards delivering the dividends of democracy to the people in their respective elective offices.
She said: “Winners of the National Assembly elections should not make the floors of the two Chambers a place of leisure or for retirement, but rather a place to make laws for the benefits of the poor Nigerian masses.
“Our incoming leaders should embark on meaningful projects that would within a short term revive our moribund industries, create employment opportunities and reduce to the barest minimum the security challenges we are currently facing in Nigeria.
“More concentration and funds should be invested in the crucial sectors of the economy to avoid our professionals from absconding to developed countries to the detriment of our growing economy.”
The Non Governmental Organisation, African Grassroots Women Empowerment Foundation, she said, is working for women, orphans, children and widows at the grassroots.