Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
As the nation prepares for the 2019 general elections, the Patriotic Forum of Presidential Candidates (PFPC), has called on the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and stakeholders, not to engage in acts capable of jeopardising national coexistence.
PFPC made the call in Abuja during its inaugural press briefing to herald the birth of PFPC.
PFPC Secretary and Presidential Candidate of Justice and Freedom Party, Dr. Onwubuya Abraham, who addressed journalists on behalf of the forum, said the forum is made up of democrats committed to nation building and the establishment of a strong, united and virile country.
Onwubuya said the overall objective of the forum is to advocate and ensure the delivery of free, fair, credible and violence-free election in 2019.
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Onwubuya further said that it is most important to have Nigeria united as indivisible entity after the 2019 polls.
The forum, according to Onwubuya, is made up of 40 presidential candidates out of the 79 who subscribed to it.
He said the fundamental principles of the forum is to engage government to do more on the current state of internal security for the well-being of Nigerians and guarantee credible electoral process before, during and after the 2019 general elections.
“We, therefore, appeal to the government, INEC, political parties and stakeholders seeking political offices through the various political platforms in the forthcoming elections and the electorate to avoid any act capable of jeopardizing our national coexistence and the chance of having peaceful and credible election during the 2019 general elections,” Onwubuya said.
In his earlier remarks, Onwubuya said the forum will interface with the law enforcement agencies to be neutral, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, not to interfere with the electoral process or allow itself to be used by any group or person to influence election results in favour of any particular candidate.
Onwubuya added that the forum will task INEC in playing its constitutional role as unbiased and neutral umpire throughout the 2019 general elections.
“They must also ensure that all eligible that are not yet registered are duly registered and that they have their PVCs ready for the elections,” Onwubuya stated.
Onwubuya further said the forum will engage the international community and Nigerians in the Diaspora to pay adequate attention and support to Nigeria at this critical time when the nation is about to go into elections and elect new sect of democratic leaders.
