Lokoja – The Kogi State Branch of Council of Ulama’u of Nigeria called on Muslims in and Nigerians in general to fully participate in the forthcoming general elections and vote for the candidates of their choice without any hindrance.
The council who made the call in a statement obtained by Vitalnews on Friday in Lokoja also called on all, to exercise their franchise in a peaceful manner with a sense of humility and decorum providing a conducive atmosphere for the exercise at all levels of the elections.
“Council specifically enjoins on all the youths participating in the elections to refrain from all acts of violence, thuggery and be law abiding as well as shunning any negative acts that may be inimical to the smooth conduct of the elections before, during and after the exercise.
“Parents are hereby strongly advised too to caution all their children and wards to stay away from all types of negative tendencies that are capable of disrupting the elections at all levels before, during and after the exercise,” the statement said.
The council appealed to all Imams, Islamic Scholars, Muslim community leaders at all levels and the entire Muslim Ummah to “embark on special prayers individually and collectively with our leaders using this coming Jumu’ah for the peaceful conduct of the elections before, during and after the exercise.
“It applauds and appreciates the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello for putting all the necessary measures in place to ensure a smooth atmosphere for the conduct of the elections in the State.
“Council also thanks him for his sustained support to religious organisations in the State for ensuring peaceful coexistence among the good people of the State through their fervent prayers.
“Council sincerely calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria to consider the ease of financial availability for its citizens to take them out of this unexpected sufferings, hunger, poverty, penury, traumatic situation and discomfort being faced by them.
“This has untold bitter experience on our people.
“It appeals to the Federal Government to seriously look into the issue of fuel scarcity.
“This too has telling effects on both the economic and social activities of our people.
“Council is passionately worried over the incessant and growing unending insecurity which has unfortunately bedeviled the nation for quite some time now.
“This has brought untold hardship, cries and woes on our people especially the rural communities which has grossly crippled education, agriculture, commerce and businesses with all its devastating consequences.
” It therefore, strongly advises the incoming administration to tackle the horrible menace of insecurity headlong giving it the top most priority coupled with highest political will and zeal for revamping the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed by the good people of Nigeria in the past.
“Council prays Almighty ALLAH to Continue to Grant us abundant sustenance and peaceful conduct of the coming elections at all levels before, during and after the exercise, ameen thumma ameen,” the council said.(vitalnewsngr.com)
