Coalition of Concerned Nigerians emphasises need for violence free polls

In its efforts to ensure hitch free polls devoid of violence, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerians on Tuesday organised a town hall meeting for stakeholders on the benefit of violence-free elections in Nigeria.

The town hall meeting, which had several members of the Oodua Peoples Congress and Nollywood actors in attendance, was held on Tuesday in Lagos.

In his opening remarks, the OPC leader and Convener of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerians, Comrade Gani Adams, said the town hall meeting was timely.

Adams said the rationale behind the meeting was to educate key stakeholders on the need to vote President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term, to clear the air about several allegations of the opposition towards the last “peaceful” rally of the group in Lagos and most especially state the irregularities of the Independent National Electoral Commission in build up to the general elections.

Adams said: “I remain convinced that reasons for the protest is sacrosanct and important to the success of the general elections, but I feel there is need for me to clear the air on some areas where some mischiefmakers have tried to distort.

“For a protest, which involved Nollywood actors numbering about 28, with several civil society groups and with 300,000 OPC members, which lasted for four hours, without a single incident of violence, is no doubt a huge credit to our maturity and sincerity of purpose.

“We have investigated the matter and found out that the picture shown by one major television station was indeed a protest rally by Dr. Fredrick Fasahun-led OPC to a threat by Boko Haram’s proposed attack to the West held sometime in 2011.

“I dare anybody who has any fact contrary to this to come forward with it.

Adams hinted further that the reason for the protest was to bring to the attention of the world the shortcomings in the preparation of INEC for the polls.

He said: “In my last speech during the last rally, I mentioned several anomalies in INEC in preparation for the election and I can assure you that our group, CCN, is not in any attempt to scuttle the process.”

Adams added that while some mischievous people had tried to rubbish the group’s position at the National Conference, the implementation of the resolution by the Federal Executive Council is indeed an attestation to the trustworthiness of President Jonathan.

He added: “President Goodluck Jonathan can be trusted for his singular act of keeping to his promise.

“You will agree with me that the President deserves the support of every Yoruba son and daughter and Nigerians entirely.”