* Address Buhari on delivery deadline for old naira notes
*Said the CBN’s policy could interfere with the election
* He said it would be a great tragedy for Nigeria if the election was not held
* When the US asked for polls showing the will of Nigerians
Former defense minister, Lawal Batagarawa, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the insecurity threatening the upcoming general election is lowered to allow Nigerians to go to the polls to vote for the candidate of their choice.
He made the call at the 20th Annual Faith Dialogue yesterday in Abuja.
According to him, “The cashless society policy implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria is a big challenge that threatens peaceful elections because if people are concerned about changing money in a short period of time and also hoping to come out for elections, it can result in poor election turnout.”
Batagarawa who urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the matter said that it would be unwise for the CBN to insist on the deadline without considering the consequences for the economy and security of the nation as well as the negative impact on the election.
He called on Buhari to “end the rule of CBN governors to implement policies” that could nullify elections.
He further appealed to the president to do all he can to prevent any difficulties that Nigerian policies may cause saying, “We do not impose the consequences of our policies. We are asking the president to ensure that whatever happens, the election will take place.
He added that elections should be held in Nigeria and the government should do everything possible to improve the electoral environment that lowers the level of insecurity, improves election security and allows Nigerians to vote.
Lending his voice to the discussion, the one-time secretary for the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said that the way things are going in Nigeria, especially the level of electoral insecurity, elections can be a risk. .
Baba-Ahmed pointed out that “It will be a great tragedy for Nigeria if the upcoming elections fail to hold. That is why the Independent National Electoral Commission and the federal government must ensure that the elections are held.”
“How, it’s not a conspiracy theory anymore. Nigeria should have the 285th election 0t March this year. It’s not a favor to Nigerians, we have to insist and the only way to have an election is that we have to lower the level of insecurity, improve the electoral environment in that way INEC is right can deploy personnel and equipment and allow Nigerians to vote,” he said.
Meanwhile, the United States, (US), ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, was also at the event, and said the US will continue to support transparent and credible elections that reflect the will of Nigerians in the process. done in peace.
Leonard reiterated that “elections are the foundation of democracy and the basis for the legitimate transfer of power. I think it is important for all of us to reflect on the fact that since 1999, Nigerian voters have successfully used their democratic power six times to determine the next leader of the country.