The Nigeria Labour Congress has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s comment that security agents should deal ruthlessly with ballot snatchers or arsonists in the elections is not a licence to kill.
The NLC President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Wabba, the President’s comment to deal ruthlessly with ballot snatchers or arsonists is not a licence to kill but is intended to deter troublemakers.
“We insist on strong institutions for the sustenance of our democracy,” he said.
Wabba, however, called on Nigerians to avoid violence during the Presidential and National Assembly elections across the country on Saturday.
He said that as Nigerians went to the polls, they must exhibit the finest traditions, highest values, utmost sense of responsibility and unflagging patriotism in them.
“The moment of truth has come, and we must of necessity perform our civic duty in fulfilment of our beliefs or in betrayal of them.
“Our conduct will reveal our true identity, betray our intentions and test our claim to nationhood.
“We, therefore, challenge you the candidates, politicians, supporters, security personnel and INEC to be of utmost good behaviour and ethical standard.
“You are also to conduct yourselves with civility, humility, truth and abide by the rule of law,” Wabba said.
Wabba urged INEC to be fair, impartial and just, to all parties or contestants, saying that the onus rested on it to conduct free, fair and credible elections and earn the confidence of the electorate.
He called on the electorate to vote according to their consciences and beliefs and not according to primordial or sectarian sentiments or emergency seductions.
