The Mowalek Centre for Sustainable Community Development in collaboration with National Unity and Peace Corps (the Mediators), have called on residents in Osun state and Nigeria to stay calm and not to resort to violence or any form of disturbance capable of breaching the peace of the country.
In a statement issued by the Chief Executive Officer of Mowalek and the Director of Publicity for NUPEC, Osun state command, Mr. Michael Olusesi Ebofin, the groups warned that the rescheduled election should not disintegrate the country irrespective of the political differences.
“It is evident that many people closed their businesses and travelled to their home towns in order to fulfil their civic responsibilities by casting their votes, but only to wake-up amidst confusion that the general elections had been postponed.
“Some are of the opinion that apart from the negative consequences of the act on the socio-political and economic lives of the citizenry, it has also dented the image of the country.
The groups maintained that Nigerians should allow the electoral umpires to follow their thoughts in order to deliver as expected of them, stressing that “it is cheaper and safer to postpone the elections than to come up with inconclusive elections that may spark violent protests leading to disruption of peace, destruction of lives and properties.
“We need to have a deep thought over issues before acting in order to ensure a peaceful community.
“This is a clarion call to curb aggrieved citizens who may want to cause violence that postponement is not annulment.
“It is expedient of voters to go out and cast their votes for their candidates without intimidations. Staying away from the polling centres could be more dangerous than the shifted elections.
“The electorates should be law-abiding and must not react to provocation with anger, violence or any action that might be exploited by those who do not want the election to hold.
“Nigerians must shun all acts of electoral violence and malpractice at all times and in all places before, during and after the general elections.
