The Nigerian Global Roundtable (NGR), a non-governmental organisation based in Austria has expressed concern over the forthcoming 2023 general elections in Nigeria. 

In a statement signed by the Chairman of organisation, Dr. Jones Edobor, and its General Secretary, Dr. Remi Alao, the institute called all political gladiators contesting in the 2023 general elections to focus on what they intend to do for the country instead of slandering or attacking their rivals.

The organisation stated that the billboards of opponents, which are legitimate ways of communication, must not be destroyed and maintained that all presidential candidates have a duty to caution their supporters to desist from threatening violence to dissenting voices and supporters of the opposition parties.

The statement reads in part, “That presidential candidate have a responsibility to ask their supporters to desist from online bullying and violent verbal exchange between their supporters. 

“Presidential candidates have a responsibility to ask their supporters to desist from all actions that could raise anxiety that could culminate in electoral violence during the campaigns.” 

The organisation noted that the terms of the peace accord signed by the presidential candidates should be monitored and adhered to.

It also urged all politicians and their supporters to be civil in their campaigns, adding that they should eschew lies and propaganda by showing dignity to advise their supporters to embrace peace. 

“Their movement should be issue-based irrespective of the ownership structure of the media houses. The media should be ethical enough to advise politicians to remain on the subject of their manifestation not blackmailing the opposition or slander others.”

The organisation also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the citizens are able to exercise their franchise freely and demanded that the activities of INEC are conducted in a manner as to guarantee a fair and credible election.

It added that no political party should truncate the established law by blackmail, extortion or intimidation of the INEC staff. 

The Nigerian Global Roundtable, therefore, encouraged citizens to actively participate in the elections and vote according to their conscience, towards electing credible, competent, and capable leaders by considering the following factors; integrity, competence, and zero tolerance towards corruption in order to move the country forward.

It also weighed in on the current flood menace in the country as it sympathised with all the flood victims throughout Nigeria and call on the government to create a relief fund to assist the victims and to prioritise the completion of the Dasin Hausa Dam in order to avert the future reoccurrence on flood disaster. 

“We also urge state governments to embark upon enduring drainage systems/projects in their respective states, as the next rainy season is only a few months away from the current one,” it said.