As the 2023 election approaches, the National Director of Publicity and Advocacy of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, on Wednesday said the rest of the world has “virtually given up on Nigeria”.
Writing in his weekly column on Vanguard, Baba-Ahmed said Nigeria needs to have elections that are “substantially uncontested by the streets”.
“We have never had an election in which we are more on our own to make or mar than the 2023 elections. The rest of the world has virtually given up on us,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He added: “The country has already been wrecked by the outgoing administration of President Buhari. There is not much left to wreck. The best elections will not assure people primed to resist the results.
“The elections are unlikely to be the best. Voting is scheduled for February 2023, but the elections have started.
“INEC is being burnt down in many areas with greater impunity.
“Agents are buying up huge quantities of PVCs across the land, presumably with the goal of voter suppression, as well more sinister motives.
“Endemic insecurity is likely to keep large numbers of voters away from polling stations, but results will be written and submitted.
“Many supporters are being prepared to insist that their candidates will only lose rigged elections.”
