Human rights attorney Femi Falana (SAN) stated on Tuesday that Nigerians are uncertain about the conduct of the general elections in 2023 as the issue of naira notes and petrol scarcity must be addressed before the country can be ready for the elections.
There is no assurance that the election will take place, according to Falana, who made this statement in response to the naira and petrol shortages in the nation during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday.
A few days before the presidential and national assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be the body assuring Nigerians of the situation, according to the human rights lawyer, notwithstanding assurances from the armed forces.
According to Falana, “By now, Nigerians should be fully prepared for the election. But unfortunately, there is no indication, and people are still saying will the election hold or not.
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“The Chief of Defence staff has no business with respect to our election. We are under a democratic system of government, and it should be the IGP that should be speaking about security. Because, it is the police, under the law, that will man the polling units. The armed forces are only asked to stand by.
“Let us all appreciate that we are operating a civilian dispensation and the military must go back to their barracks. The person that should be doing the talking is the INEC chair, who has said the commission needs cash to take care of some logistics.
“But has the money been released? No. Even the armed forces and the NSA spoke about the effect of cash scarcity on counter-insurgency campaigns. Those areas have to be addressed. And for the masses, it is only when you have access to your money that you can be happy and ready for the election. We must be ready and all these will have to be taken seriously.”
