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Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD), a non-partisan socio-political and pro-democracy organisation, has congratulated the presidential candidates of all the political parties after their primaries and conventions.
In a press statement signed by Chief Chekwas Okorie, the Convener/National Chairman of IAD, and Jonathan Elendu, the Executive Secretary, IAD, the organisation, in the release titled, ‘Message to all Presidential Candidates for the 2027 Presidential Election’s, charged the various political parties to engage in issue-based campaigns, while also calling on INEC to ensure free and fair exercise.
“We congratulate the presidential candidates of all the political parties for the 2027 presidential election,” IAD said.
“Practically all the presidential candidates in their acceptance speeches highlighted and almost agreed on the key areas and sectors that require particular attention to develop, secure and unite Nigerians notwithstanding our ethnic, religious and sectional diversities.
“The 2027 general elections promise to witness robust and vibrant electioneering campaigns. The presidential election promises to be an epic encounter.
“We urge the politicians and their supporters to remain focused on issues and eschew the resort to acerbic and inflammatory rhetoric.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission has the onerous tasks to deliver to Nigerians credible, transparent, free, and fair elections. Nigerians expect nothing less. The world is watching.”
The Igbo Agenda Dialogue also tasked the security agencies to be bold snd not allow themselves to be compromised.
“The security agencies must not allow themselves to be compromised. Nigeria currently has several flash points, and the citizens are restive at this time as a result of many existential challenges. Politicians, INEC and security agencies must not exacerbate an already incendiary and potentially explosive polity by their actions and utterances.
“The Igbo Agenda Dialogue, a non-partisan socio-political and pro-democracy organisation, has already embarked on a nationwide advocacy to urge our people who are eligible to take advantage of the ongoing last phase of the continuous voters registration exercise by INEC to register and to come out en-mass in January and February 2027 to vote massively for candidates and political parties of their choice. We urge similar organisations to join in this patriotic effort.”
The body, meanwhile, warned against any attempt to subvert the will of the people through election manipulation, saying such could lead to anarchy.
“Finally, we wish to caution that any attempt to manipulate the electoral process or to shortchange the electorate during and after the elections may result in an uncontrollable anarchy that may threaten the very foundation of our country.”
