The National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, revealed that it faced significant pressure during the 2023 Presidential Election to influence the outcome by urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to either halt the collation of results or cancel the election altogether.
During the public presentation of its 106-page report titled “Nigeria’s Pursuit of Electoral Compliance: National Peace Committee NPC 2023 General Elections Report,” the NPC disclosed the intense behind-the-scenes maneuvers by various partisan forces seeking to alter the election’s trajectory.
General Abubakar detailed the challenges faced by the NPC as it navigated calls from various groups demanding that the election results be stopped due to alleged violations and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. Some even called for the election’s cancellation, citing issues such as the 25% threshold requirement for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The report highlights how the NPC, which operates under a mandate of moral persuasion rather than legal authority, was inundated with petitions and requests to intervene in the electoral process. Despite the pressure, the committee emphasized its role as a mediator focused on promoting peace and encouraging adherence to the rule of law, rather than directly influencing the electoral process.
The NPC also met with INEC officials to discuss preparations for upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, underscoring its continued commitment to ensuring peaceful and credible elections across Nigeria.
News Editor