The Northern Elders Forum has raised concerns over the increasing spate of violence and attacks across the country, especially in the South-East, in the days leading up to the general election.
In a statement signed by the Forum’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, on Monday, the group said it had noted an increase in violence across the southeastern states and a deafening silence from the leaders in the region.
Baba-Ahmed expressed concerns that the threats to the peace of the region had also been followed by attacks on security agents, attacks on buildings, and killings, adding that attempts to interfere with the rights of Nigerians to participate in the elections was “a serious assault on the sovereignty of Nigeria.”
NEF called on President Muhammadu Buhari regime to assert its authority on any violent group, and ensure that citizens were able to vote, while also urging politicians to lend their voices to the call against the violence.
The statement read, “Northern Elders Forum has noted a serious rise in the pitch of groups that threaten the conduct of the elections, particularly from violent groups in southeastern states.
“The deafening silence from leaders, elders and politicians from the region and other parts of Nigeria over these dangerous threats is also deeply disturbing. These threats are being followed by actual attacks on government buildings and killings, including killing of policemen in the region.
“It has been the consistent position of the Forum and other patriotic groups that the 2023 elections must hold throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria. Any attempt to interfere in the rights of Nigerians to participate in the election of their leaders is a serious assault on the sovereignty of Nigeria, and an act that must be resisted.
“Nigerians want a credible election and a peaceful transition to the next administration, and no group should be allowed to plunge the nation into deeper crises by tolerating threats to the elections and peace in the country.”
The Forum called on the Buhari regime to assert its legitimate authority on any lawless group in any part of the country and ensure that voters are not prevented or threatened.
It said leaders must openly condemn these outrageous threats and assure citizens who want to vote that they can do so.
“Politicians who want to lead us must step out and condemn these threats.
“For the avoidance of doubt, these threats from groups in the South-East are cowardly and childish. Nonetheless, those behind them should know that they will be resisted,” NEF added.
