Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a socio – political group based in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria known as SUNSHINE ADVANCEMENT AMBASSADORS, has charged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to ensure the elections are free, fair and credible.
This was contained in the communiqué signed by the chairman of the group, Messr. Sunday Agbotoba ,a retired Permanent Secretary and made available to journalists after its bimonthly conference held in Akure recently.
The group emphasised the need for the president to ensure the electoral body is given adequate support and provided all necessary wherewithal to conduct the elections with a view to making it acceptable to the citizenry and international community.
INEC was charged to live to the expectations of the people as an unbiased umpire, ensuring that all political parties are given same treatment.
The statement reads inter alia: “It is important to draw the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to the need for the 2023 general elections to be conducted under safe condition.
“He should ensure security of life and property before, during and after the elections, so that people can go out and perform their civic responsibility without fear of intimidation.
“Locations where it is observed that security of life and property will be at risk should be identified and specially policed so that no single Nigerian will be disenfranchised as a result of insecurity.”
“Besides, all necessary provisions required for the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to perform creditably should be made available promptly.
“INEC should also work assiduously not to betray the confidence Nigerians reposed in it by treating all participating political parties equally.
“It should ensure and be seen to conduct free, fair and credible elections across the country.
“We also want to implore the electorates to go out en masse and cast their vote to the candidates of their choice who they are sure can best pilot the affairs of the nation for another four years”!
“This is another opportunity for Nigerians to use their votes to right all the wrongs (if any) in their immediate constituencies and the nation at large. Don’t seat on the fence. Be a partaker in choosing who should fix the nation’s socio-economic and political challenges, so that the ship of Nigeria can safely berth at El Dorado!”
Members of the group with Messr Agbotoba as Chairman are made up of prominent politicians from different political parties, retired permanent secretaries, Labour leaders, professionals and business executives from various local government areas of Ondo State and they include (but not limited to) Rt. Hon Bakita Bello, Hon. Ogungbuji Olaniyi, Barrister Busuyi Lawani, Engr. Fagbuyi Thomas, Tokunbo Oria, Deacon Sam Aroge and other notable leaders.
