The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, has urged Nigerians to vote for candidates with competence and capacity as the 2023 elections approach.
NEF warned Nigerians against relying on emotions at the expense of competence and capacity.
Prof Ango Abdullahi, Chairman of the NEF, urged Nigerians to disregard ethnicity when choosing candidates to vote for in 2023.
He spoke at a town hall meeting in Kaduna yesterday, represented by NEF spokesperson Dr Hakeem Baba Ahmed.
He emphasized that the 2023 elections would demonstrate whether Nigerians are willing to fight for the country.
“2023 election is going to test whether Nigerians are willing to fight for their country now or they are going to profoundly solve the problems of this country.
“Don’t vote for anybody on sentiment. For the sake of our future and for the sake of our grandchildren, let us save this country, we must vote.
“It is irresponsible to vote for somebody because he bears your ethnic identity, vote for competency and capacity,” he said.
He charged the government to ensure adequate security to enable Nigerians vote for their candidates.
“Where there are security issues that are preventing you from voting, the government must secure the people so that they can go and vote and we must vote for the right people,” he added.