The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on political party leaders to restrain spokespersons from using damaging language and exchanges that could heat up the polity.
In a statement issued yesterday by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the forum said it had followed the conduct of the elections, some of which are still being planned or conducted.
He said: “The Forum is, however, concerned over rhetoric and exchanges, which raise tensions and fuel negative dispositions that threaten inter-community relations. Party leaders should restrain spokespersons from escalating damaging language and exchanges.”
He however, appealed to Nigerians to allow the judiciary to undertake its onerous responsibility in a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
While expressing worry that leaders are not exercising enough responsibility to encourage respect for the judicial process, a key element of the electoral process, the Forum reminded the judiciary that Nigerians look up to it to salvage democracy and restore the faith of Nigerians in its integrity and competence.
