The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment on dealing summarily with ballot snatchers or arsonists in upcoming elections was not a license to kill.
President of the congress, Mr Ayuba Wabba, stated this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.
According to Wabba, the president’s comment to deal summarily with ballot snatchers or arsonists is not a license to kill. It is intended to deter trouble makers.
“We insist on strong institutions for the sustenance of our democracy,’’ he said.
Wabba, however, called on Nigerians to avoid violence during the Presidential and National Assembly elections across the country on Saturday.
He said that as Nigerians go to the polls, they must exhibit the finest traditions, highest values, utmost sense of responsibility and unflagging patriotism in them.
“The respectability we crave in other lands depend not on how many barrels of crude oil we export in a day or how populous we are or how many billions of dollars we illegally siphon outside the country.
“It is on the choice we make and how we make that choice – cast our vote wisely or sell it for pittance; cause violence or exhibit decorum; levy war or wage peace; eschew egotism or elevate it.’’
The labour leader noted that all candidates in the polls had the potential to win or to lose, but that the decision rested not with the candidates but the electorate.
He said that it was, therefore, infantile or naive for some candidates to assume that they could not lose.
“The moment of truth has come, and we must of necessity perform our civic duty in fulfilment of our beliefs or in betrayal of them.
“Our conduct will reveal our true identity, betray our intentions and test our claim to nationhood.
“We, therefore, challenge you the candidates, politicians, supporters, security personnel and INEC to be of utmost good behaviour and ethical standard.
“You are also to conduct yourselves with civility, humility, truth and abide by the rule of law,’’ Wabba said.
