Democracy: Edo, Ondo guber litmus test for Tinubu –Atiku’s support group
The Nigeria Youths For Atiku (NYFA), a support group of former PDP’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure a level playing ground in the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.
The President of NYFA, Prof. Gold Emmanuel, in a statement by the group’s Director of Publicity, Mr Dare Dada, said that the off-cycle governorship contests would be a litmus test for the President’s commitment to protecting the nation’s hard earned democracy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the Edo and Ondo off-cycle governorship elections for Sept . 21 and Nov. 16 respectively.
Emmanuel admonished the President and INEC to ensure a level playing field for all candidates in the two states.
She said: “The sustainability of our hard earned democracy will only be guaranteed under a peaceful atmosphere where citizens are allowed to exercise their inalienable rights to freely choose their leaders without any sort of intimidation.
“Taking a cue from the recently- concluded election of the United Kingdom where Labour Party won in a free and fair contest, it is expected that same is replicated in Nigeria at all levels.
“Holding elections in an environment where citizens are threatened by political thugs does not portray Nigeria to the international community in a good light, therefore the President must ensure citizens are protected as they file out to exercise the civic rights.”
The president said that the group had thrown its weight behind Messrs Asue Ighodalo and Agboola Ajayi, the PDP’S candidates in both states respectively.
She said that the group was known for promoting good conducts amongst the supporters of Atiku Abubakar both in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Emmanuel added:”We believe PDP has a tradition of fielding quality candidates with pedigree.
“The enviable credentials of our candidates in Edo being a seasoned financial expert and administrator speaks for itself.
“In as much as we trust our people to chose the best candidates for the job, it is only wise to ensure the right environment is guaranteed, devoid of violence such that voters choose freely based on their perception of the candidates.
“We implore teaming members of our party to continue to show their support for democracy across the country such that efforts of our heroes past do not go in vain as the worst of democracy is better than the best of military government.”
According to her, no price is too much to pay for an enduring democracy as the rights of the citizens can only be guaranteed under a stable democratic governance devoid of intimidation and violence.
