*Encourages people to come out and vote
*Counsels govt, stakeholders on effects
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Nigeria’s eligible voters, especially those that reside in the Ogun State, have been called upon to come out in their numbers and vote as the nation goes to polls coming Saturday February 25, 2023.
This call was made in a statement in Abeokuta by Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), signed by its Secretary General, Alhaji Kamaldeen Akintunde Esq and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Tuesday February 21, 2023 equivalent to Rajab 30, 1444 AH.
The OMC chief scribe said irrespective of ethnic and faith leanings or inclination, electorate in the country should come out and exercise their franchise without allowing the current hardship occasioned by new Naira redesign policy and fuel scarcity deprive them of doing so.
According to the statement, the Ogun State Muslim Council admonished the electorate to know that their coming out to exercise their franchise is a patriotic responsibility for the advancement of the country and the Nigeria project.
It said the appeal became necessary amidst socio-economic challenges Nigerians were facing as a result of the currency swap and fuel crisis.
The Muslim body, which lamented the hardship, urged Nigerians to take the experience as a necessary sacrifice that will engender an electoral system, devoid of money influence and inducement.
“The Muslim Council opined that the Nigerian democracy has ripened as it has migrated from being nascent to advanced self rule. Hence the present government action could therefore be said to be justifiable in order to build an enduring trust and sanity into our electoral system.
“It however implored President Muhammadu Buhari to evolve an initiative to ameliorate the suffering, while also urging him to embrace and uphold the rule of law, noted with his government.
“Meanwhile, OMC has charged all stakeholders, including the electoral Umpire, the political gladiators, Security personnel, the electorate and election monitors and observers to deliver on their respective mandates, cooperate and collaborate to achieve credible polls.
“It emphasised the need for a peaceful transition, and to conduct free, fair and credible elections, outcome of which has implications for the country as a leading black nation in the continent of Africa and the global world.
“In the meantime, the Ogun Muslim Council has counselled the youth protesters, expressing their anger over the attendant challenges surrounding the new monetary policy and the fuel palava against taking law into their hands and cease the unnecessary vandalism.
“It exhorted them that their genuine protests call for caution as it could be hijacked by the fifth columnist, detrimental and resulting to mayhem or violence, consequence of which will blow no good wind for the country in the long run.
“It sympathized with the bank personnel and staffers as they are now at the receiving end, noting that the corporate profession has become hazardous and endangered,” the statement said.
