A civil society group, Coalition for Peaceful Election (COPE) has called on Nigerians to come enmasse to perform their civic responsibilities of electing a new set of governors and members of the state legislature.
The group also urged the independent national electoral commission (INEC) to ensure the will of the people prevail and that the security agents deployed must ensure the maintenance of peace before , during and after the election is the ultimate priority.
This call was made on Friday in Lagos by the COPE coordinator, Comrade Popoola Ajayi and spokesperson Comrade Gbenga Soloki after the team’s visit to some selected local government areas in Lagos State to monitor the distribution of sensitive materials by INEC,commending the election umpire for the smooth conduct of the process so far.
The group disclosed that from what it observed, it shows clearly that INEC is prepared for the election and that all hands must also be on deck to ensure success of the poll.
According to COPE” From our visit to some local government areas of Lagos, reports from our field officers in the states, it’s time to applaud the umpire for it’s preparedness for the poll. We want to implore INEC to discharge it duties without professionally without favour.”
“We also want to appeal to the security agents that will be deployed for the poll to equally carry out their tasks professionally. The protection of lives and properties should be the main duty of security before,during and after the election”
Finally, COPE however enjoined the political class to play the game according to the rules, stressing that they cannot all win at the same time.
