While we await the announcement of the new president by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), we congratulate Nigerians for coming out en masse to vote, despite all the seeming challenges that characterised the presidential election. That the election still took place amid the cash squeeze, owing to currency swap by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which made life hellish for the lowly and highly placed, indeed signifies the rebirth of a new nation! No doubt, the electorates that voted yesterday did so in the midst of hunger, deprivation and tensions, with the hope that all the negatives that bedevilled the country all these years, will be a thing of the past in the new dispensation. On this note also, we enjoin the National Peace Committee, under the Chairmanship of the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), and members to still keep an eye on the conduct of both the states and local government elections. This is very important because states and local government elections are the closest to the people at the grassroots. The mood of the country as it stands, demands promotion of good governance in all ramifications and at every tier of government. The people too, should learn how to hold their leaders accountable and be ready to either recall or vote any leader out of office, who fails to fulfill his or her campaign promises, going forward. The president-elect may have learnt a lot based on how the country was run politically and economically prior to this time. The interest shown by Nigerians and the International Community in the election shows how long the people seek and are determined for a genuine change.
The body language of the people, coupled with what is happening in the society at the moment shows that Nigerians cannot withstand any further, all forms of misrule or division that suddenly crept into the society and promoted by enemies of the state for many years. We expect the new president to consult widely before choosing his cabinet members. We also expect him to ensure that qualified Nigerians, whether from his own party or the opposition are considered for appointments. We also want to see that every geo- political zone in the country is represented in the new government, and that the appointments of Security Chiefs also are not concentrated in one zone. Nepotism, which the outgoing administration heavily promoted should be discouraged under the new dawn, and Nigerians for once allowed to breathe. We want to see that the problem of security is tackled headlong. The cost of living now beyond the reach of the common man be addressed; problems of out-of-school children all over the country be looked into, unemployment rates reduced drastically; crime rate checkmated; youth restiveness, handled; and so many national maladies confronting the state resolved. In every election, winners and losers certainly must emerge. We therefore call on other political parties to join hands with the president-elect and his party to build a Nigeria of our dream, where every one’s right and freedom would be guaranteed. Nigeria needs peace more than anything . The youths too, should avoid any form of violence and desist from being used by those who do not mean well for them and the society at large. Now that the electorates have spoken loudly through their ballots, we should all abide by the pronouncement of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who earlier promised Nigerians, free, fair and credible elections.
