Northern Chairmen Forum of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has commended the conduct of the 2023 general elections which will herald a new administration at the National and State levels in most cases urging Nigerians not to allow anti-democratic elements pull the Nations down for their selfish reasons. IPAC said Nigeria has taken yet another significant step in its democratic journey but frown at what it termed ridiculous statements by some political actors in the Country especially the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Sen. Yusuf Datti Ahmed  for stating that the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu and the Vice President-elect, Sen. Shettima should not be sworn in or democracy will come to an end on 29^th May, 2023.

In a statement signed by Abubakar Dogara, the Council dissociate itself from the move by Yusuf Datti Ahmed which it said is aimed at endangering civil rule in Nigeria.

“We are raising an alarm over these threats to peaceful transition of power. We are disturbed by the potential uprising against Nigeria’s democracy. What is at play sounds similar to every Nigerians with good memory. The unfortunate event of the 1993 will never be allowed to repeat itself by anti-democratic elements” the group said.

The group urged the relevant authorities as a matter of urgency to thoroughly investigate the likes of Yusuf Datti in order to bring then to justice saying pre and post elections violence and other forms of inciting statements from unpatriotic politicians should have no place in the nation’s democratic process and must be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians.

“We do not believe that our Country, and indeed, the International Community should watch as Nigeria faces yet another imminent tumult in the hands of enemies of democracy, rule of law, and decency. We have come this far in our democratic journey since civil rule was restored in 1999. We cannot afford a reversal at this stage. Nigeria as we know, may not survive the destruction these anarchists who have found themselves in the Nigerian political space by chance are calling for” the group warned.

The group also raised concern over the inconsistency of some Staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly in the declaration of election results in some State and urge INEC and other critical stakeholders to maintain the sanctity of the electoral processes and protect its integrity. They expressed worried that the actions of some INEC Staff are capable of truncating the victory of some opposition political parties as witnessed in some States.

The group said the 2023 general elections recorded fair credibility and transparency though there are areas that need to be improved upon.

They charged on the President-elect to partner with the National leadership of the opposition parties to address areas of concern as a prelude to an inclusive transition and government.

“However, this is without prejudice to the rights of political parties and their candidates to explore legal channels to seek redress in case of grievances, as we expect the judiciary, which is the last resort of the common man not to allow itself to be compromised. This is the decent and constitutional approach everywhere in the World and ours must not be different” the group asserted.

They call on Nigerians to rise up against anti-democratic forces wherever they rear their heads and not allow those who are not comfortable with the outcome of the elections bring down the Country on account of their selfish desire.

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Northern IPAC Chairmen Forum Urge Nigerians to Ignore Anti-Democratic Forces