By Musa Baba Adamu
The federal government has restated its commitment to free and fair elections come 2023.
This reassurance was given by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, at the finals of Polo tournament held at Keffi Polo Ranch, Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The Polo Tournament, organized by Hon. Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, has as its theme for this year: “National Unity Polo Tournament 2022.”
The tournament, which is an yearly event, is known for attracting the high and the mighty in the society and this year was not different as dignitaries cutting across political, business, security and traditional Rulers classes were in attendance.
The SGF, who advised Nigerians to take a cue from the recent elections in Kenya where the loser approached the court to seek redress instead of resorting to self help, added that the most responsible thing for Nigerians to do was to ensure that they get their Voters card ready to vote for their choices.
He said: “On the coming elections, the only responsible thing for the people to do is to make sure that they register o vote so that their voices may be heard.
“People are called upon to avoid anything that will further aggravate the already tensed situation we are in as a country.
“We should take a cue from what just happened in Kenya where a declaration was made at the end of an election and instead of resorting to self help the loser went to Court and the Court had the opportunity to give its verdict and the loser accepted the verdict in the interest of the nation. I think that is a very good lesson that we should imbibe as a nation.
“At the end of the exercise in 2023 there will obviously be a winner, so the loser must either accept the loss in good faith or approach the Court to be heard.
He said the off-season election in Osun state was testament to the federal government readiness to be neutral come 2023.
“As a Government we have demonstrated that we will never interfere with the electoral process. The off season election in Osun state is clear demonstration of our commitment to clean and fair electoral process.”
He also commended Hon. Wadada for his initiative, adding that it was capable of creating harmony across political divides.
Also speaking, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare, disclosed that they welcomed the idea when the organiser approached the ministry with the proposal, since it was capable of promoting harmony.
He said: “ The idea of hosting a national Polo game came up and Wadada discussed it with it us and we supported it. I am happy to see the dignitaries here and Polo has truly been used to promote harmony, so Wadada had done a great job.”
On his part, Hon Wadada, who is also the Senatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the race to represent Nasarawa West Senatorial zone come 2023 disclosed that the idea behind the tournament was deliberately skewed towards dousing the risen political tension in the land.
He said: “ As mark of responsiveness and responsibility, I came up with this idea and sougth the collaboration of the ministry and Heritage Bank and others to organise this to bring down the poilitcal tension in the land.
“We have demonstrated that it is not everything must be viewed through politics. Here we have people from all the political divides and this is the message we try to preach. The tournament is centred around unity and the representation here has shown.
“The spirit of sponstsmanship obtainable in the sports in general and the game of Polo in particular must be seen to prevail in the forthcoming election. We must know that not all will be winner in the coming election. So as we prepare to win we must prepare to accept defeat if it comes.”
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