The Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), an intervention body, has urged candidates who may not be satisfied with the outcomes of the 2023 general elections to refrain from violence but seek redress through the constitutionally established channels.
The Chairperson of the council, Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa (Rtd), stated this on Tuesday in a press statement read at a media briefing organised by SCDDD in Abuja.
In the statement presented by Ambassador Brownson Dede, a former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU), Justice Bulkachuwa said it was in the best interest of all stakeholders, including candidates, political parties and voters, to refrain from actions capable of instigating violence before, during and after the polls.
She urged them to abide by the constitution, the electoral laws and guidelines issued by INEC and work towards avoiding a repeat of the violent conflict that followed the 2011 general elections in which hundreds of Nigerians were killed.
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Bulkachuwa said, “To the presidential, governorship, national and state assemblies’ candidates, the council’s sincere advice is that they should desist from rancour, hate speech, inflammatory and unguided utterances capable of instigating violence.
“It is imperative that they demonstrate leadership and courage by accepting the results of the elections, and anyone who is not satisfied with the outcome should take up the matter as provided by the constitution; not through violence.”
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