The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to embrace peace and eschew violence before, during and after the elections.
The Director overseeing the office of the Director General, Mr. Gabriel Jiya in a statement, described election as “a defining moment” in the anal of the country’s politics.
The statement called on citizens to “participate in the exercise”, considering that the Federal Government has put in place measures to ensure the security of lives and property.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment in signing the new Electoral Act demonstrated his determination towards a “credible, peaceful, free and fair elections”, it said.
It said, as a public agency, the Institute encourages political parties and their supporters to leverage on the goodwill of the President and relevant state agencies in ensuring that the election is peaceful, credible and violence-free.
The statement also condemned the “recurring attacks on INEC, security and other public facilities”, saying the act poses an “imminent threat” to the electoral process and “our hard-earned democracy”.
It urged security agencies to maintain “professionalism and non-partisanship” in the discharge of their electoral duties.
“The IPCR encourages all Election Observers to conduct their assignments in a way that will facilitate democratic consolidation, sustainable peace-building and good governance in Nigeria,” it added.
Writing by Hamza Alkali; Editing by Abdullahi Lamino and Tony Okerafor