31st March, 2011
Daughter of the late business mogul, Hafsat Abiola-Costello has challenged Nigerian to join hands in fighting for the soul of the nation by ensuring that the April polls are free and fair.
Abiola-Costello spoke at a march in Lagos, South West Nigeria and organised by Women Arise to sensitise Lagosians on the need allow their votes count in the forthcoming elections.
According to her, “we must fight for the soul of our country. Let us choose credible leaders who will take us forward rather than people who will want to rig the election and steal our money.
“We have to fight for Nigeria. I have been to places like Belgium where the people stood up for their right. These people are not more intelligent than we are. We must fight rigging.”
Abiola-Costello faulted plans by the Inspector General of Police to ban people from using their mobile phones during the polls, saying that he would monitor the polls with her phone.
“I will vote and stay there. I will arrange food for my community so that they can vote and stay there to monitor their votes so that their votes can count,” she said.
President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin said the essence of the march was to sensitise the people to know their rights, saying that the theme was Making Our Votes Count.
“People must wake up as early as 8.00 am for the accreditation exercise which will terminate by 12 noon. They will count the number of people accredited and it must tally with the number of people who are going to vote.
“When we finish voting, we should stay away like 500 metres and watch the conduct of the election and at the end, our votes will count. People must shun violence. We are challenging the security agents; they should be on ground because arms are in the wrong hands.
“People should not be frightened and I can see that our peopel are wired up for a change. There is no amount of force that can withstand them, people have died and paid the price. They should not be afraid and if need be, they have to pay the supreme price,” she said.
Okei-Odumakin urged Nigerians to stop complaining, saying that “they must stop agonising and organise for change and that change is now and that change can be effected when we perform our civic duty to ensure that our votes count and if we fail, Nigeria may go under.
“We have to return again as the giant of Africa; it is not only Jega. INEC must remain an impartial umpire. The essence of this march is to prevent rigging. Our people are used to selling their votes but they should know that their vote is their power.”
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
