Bauchi CNPP warns INEC, security agencies against election rigging

Samuel Luka, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Chapter, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement agencies against manipulating results of the 2019 general elections. The State Chairman of CNPP, Dr Safiyanu Maisalati who is the Chairman of CNPP in the state gave the warning while interacting with journalists at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Bauchi on Monday. He explained that both the Electoral body and the Police have a duty to ensure free, fair and credible election that will be accepted by all. “But if they manipulate the election results in favour of any particular candidate, they and their entire generations will regret it, because doing so will disrupt the peaceful conduct of the election”.‎ He cautioned. Maisalati further warned the electoral body to ensure that only qualified people are engaged as adhoc staff after undergoing rigorous training and equipped with all that is needed for them to assist in conducting free, fair and peaceful elections. He insisted that INEC and security agents should be neutral and unbiased in their conduct in order not to mortgage the future of Nigerians. Mai Salati urged the youths to use their large population to install a new Nigeria and credible leaders that would give greater hope to the country. He advised stakeholders to avoid doing any act capable of bringing shame to the authorities especially the electoral body and the security agencies. “Nobody should assume that he must rule Nigeria by force. People’s votes must count at all levels and those with the highest number of votes should be declared winner”. The CNPP Chairman maintained. He however, warned the political class to desist from acts capable of de-railing the electoral processes. “Government official and stakeholders in politics should put the state and its citizens first in all they do during the campaigns and elections periods. ‎Politicians should be tolerant and desist from any acts or speech that might cause disunity among the people”. He called on political stakeholders, and their various parties to take desperation out of politics, adding that any attempt to win at all costs could breed violence.