By Musbau Babatunde
Senator Kola Balogun,has advised Nigerians
to shun thuggery, violence, voting buying and financial inducement during the elections.
Nigerians,he said,should vote according to the dictates of your conscience,adding that the political elite and the electorate should ensure the conduct of successful, free and fair, acceptable and credible elections in February and March.
The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District,who stated this in his message new year message,implored Nigerians to look beyond the New Year celebrations and focus on how democracy can be further deepened in the country through elections.
Nigerians must sit back and take a deep reflection on ourselves, both as individuals and as a country.
He added:”We should reflect on where we are coming from and where we are going in the New Year, 2023 being a very decisive year in our electoral process.We are going to the polls in another one month, February, to choose of our new crops of leaders at the national level, both at the Presidency and at the National Assembly.
“We shall also be witnessing election in March at the state level where there will be a change of batons in most of the states and at the state Houses of Assembly.We, as a people, must take a deep reflection and vote wisely in electing a new leadership, consisting of a few people that will take charge of the affairs of over 200 million other Nigerians.
“I will urge us all, especially registered voters and the political class, not to mortgage the future of this country and generations yet unborn. I plead with us to shun all forms of violence and voting buying in the 2023 elections. We have several challenges facing us as a people and as a country. These include economic downturn, which is not peculiar to Nigeria and so also the issue of insecurity.
“History beckons on us as the whole world is watching intently as we progress in managing our domestic affairs, most importantly, the conduct of the 2023 elections.We can decide to move forward by deliberately taking positive steps towards the advancement of our democratic experiment by voting for credible leaders who can help to move the country forward.
“The Federal Government is helping to promote the culture of establishing and entrenching credible, free and fair elections through the Electoral Act, 2022.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not leaving any stone unturned in complementing the efforts of the government, especially with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS).
“Both the Electoral Act, 2022 and the BIVAS are part of some other measures to ensure that elections, which are credible and acceptable, are conducted”
He described 2023 as a year that calls for deep reflections on the past as the country prepares for another general election.
He joined other Nigerians from all walks of life to welcome the New Year, and prayed that it shall be a year of advancement for the country in all ramifications.
He said the year 2023, unlike the past three years, is very unique as the people will be witnessing a change of baton at the federal level and in most of the states across the country.
