Rise above partisanship, ensure credible election, seamless transition — IPAC tells Buhari

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to rise above partisan politics and ensure a credible election that will usher in a seamless transition in 2023.

In a statement issued yesterday by the National chairman of the party, Yusuf Sani Yabagi, IPAC charged the President to be alive to his historic obligations to democracy, future generations of Nigerians and the exigencies of peace, tranquility and prosperity.

“At this crucial juncture, IPAC as a platform for the promotion and deepening the roots of democracy, cannot but seize on this special occasion to make very strident appeal to all key players and stakeholders in the nation’s democracy project to close ranks and work assiduously towards unfettered success of the forthcoming elections.

“By this appeal, we are merely once again reiterating our unrelenting demand and campaign that narrow, self-centered and transient partisan goals must be subjugated to the long-term, superior objectives of promoting national peace, security, stability and integration built on the solid ground of democracy.

“In this regard, IPAC is firstly and emphatically calling on President  Muhammadu Buhari to strive to rise above the low level of partisan politics, be alive to his historic obligations to democracy, future generations of Nigerians and the exigencies of peace, tranquility and prosperity of the moment.

“As we have told him at every turn, history beckons on President Buhari with the very minimal demand on him, to oversee a credible, transparent, free and fair elections leading to a rancour free and smooth transition in 2023”, the statement to mark the 2023 Eid El Fitr said.

The Council also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain undeterred and focus in their responsibility of ensuring a credible election, saying “IPAC will want to seize on this auspicious occasion to advise the national electoral umpire, the National Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, to remain undeterred and focussed in its handling of the electoral process in which so far, it has performed commendably well.

“This is just as IPAC is asking the security agencies, the judiciary and the other relevant institutions and NGOs among others, to be awake to their roles in the electoral process.

“IPAC wishes to remind members of the platform, the leadership and members of all the registered political parties that they have the greatest stake in the fortunes or otherwise of democracy more than any other groups or interests in the country.

“It is therefore imperative for the political gladiators to do all within them to play according to the rules and regulations of the game. We must be above unbridled and potentially dangerous pursuit of our parochial political goals in the superior interest of the nation and the democracy project which confers on us the legitimacy and relevance we are presently savouring.

“Once again from the Inter-Party Advisory Council, it is felicitations and wishes of Happy Sallah celebrations to all the Muslim faithfuls worldwide as we pray that the mercies and blessings of the glorious month of Ramadan linger over the land in a long while from now, amin. Barka da Sallah”, Yabagi said.