The United Nations has sued for calm and patience among Nigerians as they head to the polls on Saturday to vote in the presidential and national parliamentary elections.
On the eve of presidential and parliamentary elections in Nigeria, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, commended “Nigerians for a pre-election period that had been largely, peaceful and participatory”.
Chambas, who is also Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), “encouraged all Nigerians to continue to maintain calm and to exercise patience and restraint throughout the voting process and the announcement of the final results”.
While welcoming the signing on February 13, of the Second National Peace Accord by Presidential candidates, Chambas urged them to “mobilise their sympathisers and supporters to adhere to the tenets of free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible elections, devoid of hate and denigration of each other”.
He called on “all Nigerians to firmly reject all undemocratic and negative voices that may seek to disrupt the elections and promote conflict between Nigerians”.
The UN Special Representative encouraged Nigerians to come out in their numbers and cast their vote peacefully in exercise of their civic responsibility.
He affirmed that the success of the polls is the responsibility of all Nigerians and relevant Nigerian institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, candidates, religious leaders, civil society.
The UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel urged “all candidates and party leaders to seek redress of any grievances they may have through legal and constitutional means”.
While calling on the all stakeholders to prioritise the interest of the country, Chambas hoped “that the successful conduct of peaceful, free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible elections would set another example for the elections coming up in West Africa and Africa, and underscore Nigeria’s leadership in the region”. (NAN)