The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has warned civil society organizations (CSOs) against following the lead of defeated candidates who are attempting to incite violence, murder, and arson says by Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the National President of AYCF, said this in a statement.
The president in his speech said ” we all have a duty as Nigerians to be patriotic enough to speak the truth and stand by peace, unity and national stability “
“We have very closely observed the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) and all the management of the election process from the period before and after the Presidential and National Assembly so far.
We are convinced that there are forces opposed to the commendable effort of INEC and we are aware there is a deliberate ploy to distract the electoral umpire.”
“Notwithstanding the grand conspiracy against INEC and Nigerian voters who got the opportunity to vote for the candidates of their choice, we wish to state as follows:- INEC has given the 2023 elections their best shot by training and retraining of election officials, using the BVAS successfully in 90% cases.”
“As with elections anywhere in the world, INEC couldn’t have done a perfect job because, in reality, they cannot be completely infallible. We say no to the forces of destabilization of Nigeria who has been calling for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu without any cogent reason.”
“For those who are crying wolf over election rigging, they need to have a rethink because APC’s Bola Tinubu lost in his immediate Constituency of Lagos and the Labor party won many areas. PDP’s Atiku Abubakar lost his immediate Constituency of Adamawa. It is very clear that this is comparatively the freest and faira election since 1999. It is pointless crying foul where there is none.’
“We call on men and women of good conscience to support the efforts of INEC to bequeath a good electoral legacy for the country. Imagine holding elections under a cashless policy, when there rural areas without banks and ATM machines or non-existent internet infrastructure. It is obvious that the INEC officials made enormous sacrifice under the current economic and national security challenges to hold successful presidential and National Assembly elections.”