The European Union, EU, has been urged to save Nigeria’s nascent democracy from collapsing.
Free Nigeria Movement, FNM, made the appeal while noting that the EU has been a longstanding partner of Nigeria in promotion of democratic principles.
The group made the plea when it led a protest to the EU headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
Addressing the protest, Moses Paul, the Convener of the group, appreciated the European Union for its contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s creative industry and humanitarian efforts in the Northeast.
Paul said the group called on the Union to sanction the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, all state electoral commissioners and other INEC officials to contributed in bastardizing the country’s democracy by conducting fraudulent elections.
FNM also recommended the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Committee in Lagos State and other flashpoints of voter intimidation and violence during the presidential, national assembly, governorship and state assembly elections.
He said: “The European Union has had a longstanding relationship with Nigeria contributing assiduously to the promotion of democratic principles. Your contribution to the growth of our creative industry cannot be exhausted in one note of appreciation.
“We are also aware of your contribution to humanitarian efforts in the northeast. For all these, we are grateful.
“Today, we ask you to do more to help save our democracy from collapse. For that is what this lawlessness portends for our country.
“We therefore call for sanctions on Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, all state electoral commissioners and other INEC officials who contributed to this illegality. Our country needs healing.
“It will be counterproductive to allow a fraudulent process to subsist as fraud will eternally birth fraud. We cannot grow our democracy on falsehood and suspicion.
“The holes in our national fabric must be woven shut. One way is to immediately establish a Truth and Reconciliation Committee in Lagos State and other flashpoints of voter intimidation and violence during the presidential, national assembly, governorship and state assembly elections.
“This will help build trust, confidence and further ethnic cooperation among Nigerians.
“As concerned citizens, we believe that our country is destined for greatness and are hopeful that in no distant time, our faith will nudge our dreams to reality. This is our prayer as we nurse the bruises of hope. For though they force us to precipice, we will not curse our country or stand by those who curse it. We will not steal from our country whatever treasures it possesses in dignity. We will hold on to the promise of unity and faith, peace and progress,” they added
