Nigerians To Pray, Be Steadfast On Election Postponement – ACF

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged Nigerians to continue to be prayerful, remain calm and restrain themselves from any act of lawlessness that would jeopardize the democratic process of free and fair election. The National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Alhaji Muhammed Ibrahim made the appeal on Saturday in Kaduna while reacting to the postponement of Saturday polls. The ACF urged Nigerians to be patient and continue to persevere while also restraining themselves from any act likely to jeopardise the democratic process. “It is only our collective resolve to respect the tenets of democracy that will strengthen our unity and peaceful coexistence. “ACF therefore urges Nigerians to be patient and continue to persevere during this trying moments.” ACF said its appreciates the concern raised by INEC regarding its logistic preparation and its constitutional power to reschedule the elections for the express purpose of ensuring credible, free and fair elections that would meet universal acceptance. “However, though ACF is not privy to the nature of the challenges and the time INEC noticed them, the forum thinks the shift should have been done earlier in order to reduce cost and inconveniences for all the parties concerned.” It cites the earlier assurances given to Nigerians by INEC that it would deliver on credible, free and fair elections on schedule, saying this heightened the enthusiasm of Nigerians. According to the ACF, Nigerians have no option but to accept the reasons advanced by INEC and have faith that it would live up to its promise to hold the rescheduled elections on the 23rd February and 9th March 2019. The Forum however called on INEC to use this opportunity and ensure that adequate logistic preparations are put in place for a successful election. “The Police and other security agencies should also prepare adequately to provide the needed security cover to INEC officials, the electorates, election observers and also to maintain peace and order during and after the elections”, the Forum advised.(NAN)