By Raheem Akingbolu
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has condemned the violence that characterised the just- concluded presidential and National Assembly elections, in many parts of the country, which led to loss of lives and burning of several electoral materials.
The group has called on stakeholders in the Nigerian project to review the country’s electoral process to ensure a better exercise in future, particularly the coming gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.
According to the communiqué issued at the end of the first quarterly meeting of the standing committee of the NGE in Lagos at the weekend, which was organised to review the 2019 general election, with particular reference to the presidential and National Assembly elections, the body noted that there is a compelling and urgent need to take steps to address the lapses observed during the elections.
The communiqué, which was jointly signed by the NGE President, Funke Egbemode, and its General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, called on the government, security agencies, INEC and politicians to strive to live above board and avoid every action that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in future elections.
Reacting to the controversies the elections have generated in some quarters, NGE implored the aggrieved parties to follow due process in seeking redress for any perceived injustice arising from the polls.
While stressing the need for government to ensure better organised elections in future, NGE tasked the new administration to, as a matter of urgency, set up machinery to carry out electoral reforms, adding that such step would guarantee a more credible and acceptable process.
