2023 Presidential election: NSCIA warns against inciting comments

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has advised Nigerians to refrain from inciting comments and threats to life over the just concluded 2023 Presidential elections.

In a statement on Thursday by the Deputy Secretary-General and Director of Administration of the group, Prof. Salisu Shehu and Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, he warned those making inciting comments to desist from their utterances as Nigeria remained an indivisible nation.

The group, while commending the leadership and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for their display of professionalism in the conduct of the elections, noted the innovations introduced by the commission, especially the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems, BVAS, has greatly improved the system, though there were daunting challenges experienced.

According to the group, the display of professionalism has not only improved the electoral process but also added to the credibility of the results.

It said there has been outpour of commendations by members of the public, including non-governmental organization and international organizations.

According to the statement, the level of unwarranted provocation and unnecessary heating up of the polity, which are capable of creating disunity and threatening the security of the Nigerian nation, is worrisome, just as it appealed to all Nigerians to exercise decorum, be peaceful, prayerful and law-abiding in the face of the current unwarranted provocations.

The group called on politicians who feel aggrieved by the outcome of the elections to seek redress through appropriate legal channels as provided for in the Electoral Act and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria rather than resorting to violence and unlawful acts.