Former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, has said that the challenges bewildering the country cannot be properly addressed unless broad-minded and selfless individuals with capacity and courage are elected.

Abubakar, who urged Nigerians with those qualities to run for political offices, said this while speaking at a press conference organised by the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) on Thursday.

The conference was held at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre in Abuja, the federal capital territory.

Speaking, Abubakar, who is the president of the association, said the efforts by governments at various levels to tackle the challenges bewildering the country achieved only a marginal success, because the “challenges are deep rooted and require comprehensive, participatory, and proactive solutions”.

The former IGP added that the “association is deeply concerned over the noticeable divisive tendencies among the components of Nigerian society, armed violence, economic difficulties, and heated political space that have created social tension, loss of lives and widespread fear over the future of our dear country, as a united and democratic society.”

He said: “The challenges facing our country highlighted earlier cannot be properly addressed, unless broad-minded and selfless individuals with capacity and courage seek and get elected to elective positions.

“We therefore urge Nigerians with these qualities including members of the National Institute to participate actively in the political process as part of efforts to rescue Nigeria.

“We must deemphasise money politics and come together to sponsor candidates that can pursue an agenda for the common good.

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“In this regard, AANI intends to convene a stakeholder meeting ahead of the 2023 election, to sensitize both politicians and electorates on the need to focus on issues that affects the lives of the people and the candidates with the capacity and pedigree to address them rather than selfish interests and material inducements.”

He, however, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use all the provisions of the newly signed Electoral Act to conduct free and fair general elections in 2023.

Abubakar also called on politicians to uphold global best practices and focus on the security, welfare, and economic prosperity of Nigerians above their personal ambitions ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The AANI President added that the Electoral Act which was recently assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari would provide a new opportunity for free and fair election in Nigeria, urging INEC to ensure the conduct of credible elections in the country.

Abubakar added: “As we approach the 2023 general elections, we are calling on the political class to uphold global best practices and focus on the security, welfare, and economic prosperity of Nigerians over and above their personal ambitions and pecuniary interests.

“Moreover, the recent assent to the Electoral Act by Mr President provides a new opportunity for free and fair election in Nigeria. We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to activate all the provisions of the law towards the conduct of free and fair general elections in 2023.”

He further stated AANI would hold a national dialogue on national unity, saying: “The association is always available to partner with government and all stakeholders to tackle challenges through promoting a comprehensive strategy that would stabilize the polity and promote a proactive agenda for the overall development of the country.

“We believe that adequate focus on qualitative and functional education for our teeming population and agriculture and agroallied processing as our area of comparative advantage would increase employment, reduce poverty and crimes, and promote overall growth and development in Nigeria.

“These require a comprehensive programme of action that is objective, participatory and implemented on a continuous basis in an integrated and strategic manner.  We must rededicate ourselves to the Nigerian project and provide durable solutions to the prevailing situation in the country,” the former IGP said.

TheStar