Bye-Elections: Don’t Worsen The Country’s Dire Situation, Abdulsalam Begs Politician

The National Peace Committee (NPC) led by Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former head of state, has appealed to contestants in the December 5 bye-elections not to aggravate the critical and troubling conditions of the country.

The committee made the plea in a statement issued on Friday.

The bye-elections, which were earlier scheduled for October 31, were put on hold by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the violence and unrest that characterised the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.

In the statement on Friday, the committee said the  daily loss of lives and destruction of livelihoods have put the country on the brink as its teeters on the verge of collapse.

It said Nigerians are expecting a lot from the contestants, admonishing them to be law-abiding and refrain from violence.

The committee implored the contestants to rein in on their overzealous and restive supporters.

“I write to extend the best wishes of the National Peace Committee (NPC), to all the contestants in the coming elections taking place across the country for seats in the National Assembly,” he said.

“I want to congratulate all those who have crossed the hurdles in the electoral process to come to this final stage. Your struggle and willingness to serve must be backed up with commitment to obeying all the laws and the processes laid down by the relevant authorities.

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“Nigerians are expecting a lot from all of you. These are already very troubling times in our country as we hear of the almost daily losses of human lives and the destructions of lives and livelihoods. Do not further add to an already horrible situation that our nation is facing.

“Call on your supporters to please do the same. Best of luck to you all and God bless our country.”

The bye-elections will take place in Bayelsa central and west senatorial districts; Cross River north senatorial district; Imo north senatorial district; Lagos east senatorial district and Plateau south senatorial district.

Others are Nganzai and Bayo state constituencies, Borno; Obudu state constituency, Cross River; Kosofe II state constituency, Lagos; Bakura state constituency, Zamfara state; and Ibaji state constituency, Kogi state.