The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct all the forthcoming general elections in one day.
The Secretary-General of the Council, Nafi’u Baba-Ahmed, made the call while addressing the press on Sunday in Kaduna.
He said that the current security situation and security operatives themselves have been over-stretched.
He noted that considering the level of desperation by politicians, after the first elections (Presidential/National Assembly), some of them may trigger political violence to the extent that subsequent elections may not hold.
Baba-Ahmad said in that light, they met with relevant stakeholders, including heads of some security agencies, who, he said, expressed their understanding of the situation.
“They agreed with us that their manpower is already overstretched and it will be a tough task for them to cope with political violence if it erupts.
“We have therefore since weeks ago advised that INEC should be prevailed upon to hold all the elections on the same day,” he said.
Baba-Ahmad further explained that holding all the elections on one day would prevent desperate politicians who are on the verge of loosing from creating chaos in the country.
“We don’t want a situation where we will be left in an unpredictable situation,” he said.
He appealed to the Federal Government, security agencies and influential Nigerians to prevail on INEC to organise the elections in one day.
“There is nothing more than peace and security, and this is what is at stake, we will play our roles and do all the necessary sacrifice to make sure people vote on that one day,” Baba-Ahmad said.
Speaking further, Baba-Ahmad also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to extend the deadline for collection of old naira notes till June 30.
While also commending the CBN for the 10 days extension of collection of old naira notes, he urged them to engage massively on public enlightenment.
“The CBN should extend the deadline to accommodate those in the rural areas with no access to banking facilities.
“Even the few elites in the cities are yet to even sight the new notes. Can you imagine that even beggars have stopped accepting the old ones,” Baba-Ahmad said.
Speaking further, Baba-Ahmad condemned the recent murder of Fulani herdsmen along the Nasarawa/Benue border.
He call on the government and the security agencies to transparently investigate and make their findings public.
“In the meantime, Diyyah (compensation for death) and the annihilated cattle should be made promptly and publicly by the government/security agencies,” Baba-Ahmad said.
He urged Nigerians to be extra patient with the happenings in country, while urging them to come out en mass on election day and vote credible leaders who can address the multidimensional challenges facing the country.
