The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct of a free and fair general elections next year.
The AANI President and former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, told the 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association in Abuja on Saturday that the recent assent to the Electoral Act by President Muhammadu Buhari provides a new opportunity for free and fair elections in the country, calling on the political class to uphold global best practices during the 2023 elections.
Abubakar told the meeting which had as theme ”Repositioning AANI for Greater Effectiveness,” that ”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.
“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.”
The AANI President urged broadminded and selfless individuals with capacity and courage to seek and get elected to elective positions insisting that, that was the only way the country’s problems could be solved.
“We must de-emphasise money politics and come together to sponsor candidates that can pursue an agenda for the common good,” he said.
On the state of the nation, Abubakar said AANI is deeply concerned over the armed violence, economic difficulties and heated political space that have created social tension, loss of lives and wide spread fear over the future of our dear country, as a united and democratic country.
Lamenting that efforts by governments at various levels to tackle these challenges achieved only a marginal success because the challenges are deep-rooted and require comprehensive, participatory and proactive solutions, the AANI President assured that the association is available to partner with government and all stakeholders to tackle these challenges.
“AANi as a Think-tank is 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 developement of the country.
“We believe that adequate focus on qualitative and functional education for our teeming population and agriculture and agro allied 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 programe 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 prevailing situation in the country,” he said.
On AANI’s relationship with the Alma-mater (National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies – NIPSS), Abubakar said it has remained cordial, promising that they will continue to support the regular upgrade of curricular and infrastructure to promote conducive atmosphere for academic excellence at the Institute.
He also congratulated Professor Ayo Omotosho on his recent appointment as the new Director General (DG) of NIPSS, adding that they look forward to partnering with him to attain set policy goals and address very critical issues towards transforming the institute into the foremost centre for policy and research and reflection in Africa.
Among those who graced the occasion were His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, representatives of the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, the FCT Minister, Mohammad Musa Bello, Members of AANI, among others.
AANI is an association of Nigerians who attended the Senior Executive Course (SEC) at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.
