As the choice of the All Progressives Congress (APC) running mate continues to generate ripples, a former presidential aspirant and chieftain of the ruling party, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has urged opinion moulders not to allow religion to further divide the country.
In a statement from his media office in Abuja, yesterday, Olawepo-Hashim explained that the political aspiration of anybody is not worth the disruption of the unity and peace of Nigeria.
“While we all have the right to express ourselves, we should avoid incendiary comments that can further pose huge challenge to our national integration objectives.
“Let us quietly make our decisions and express such decisions with our votes.”
The former presidential candidate further added that political parties who are insensitive to our national concerns and take some segments of the population for granted must be ready to be punished by the electorates at the polls.
“That is democracy there is no need for quarrel,” he added.
Olawepo-Hashim also maintained that every party must work hard towards the general election to ensure that they are in good reckoning with the electorate at the polls, adding that “those who have bought delegates must know they will have an uphill task buying estimated 40 million potential voters who may turn out at the next election.”
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According to INEC, as of 2019, there were 84 million registered voters, but as at Monday, June 27, 2022, the ongoing registration figures were as follows: fresh Registrants: 10,487,972; Completed Registration: 8,631,696; Male: 4,292,690; Female: 4,339,006; PWDs: 67,171 and Youths: 6,081,456.
He added that “anyone who loves his or her party, and loves Nigeria must ensure that their parties do the right things.
“Buying up delegates at the party conventions is the cheapest thing to do, the general election is a different ball game. National Security is at stake, not just anything will pass.”
He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to live up to his promise that the next election would be free and fair.
“It is time for our elections to be the true measurement of the will of our people, that is the only way to make democracy deliver result,” said Olawepo-Hashim.