Elections: Vote competent leadership, shun violence, NIM advises electorates

 The Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM)(Chartered) has urged Nigerians to vote right and competent leaders at the forthcoming general elections scheduled for Feb. 25.
Its President, Dr Christiana Atako, who gave the advice in a statement signed by the Administrator of the institute, Mr Akin Iroko, on Thursday in Lagos, said they should also shun violence during the election.
Atako said Nigerians must vote persons identified to be competent with values such as capacity, character, courage, skills of humility, empathy, genuineness, and fear of God.
She admonished Nigerians to consider the antecedents and pedigree of those running for leadership positions at all levels of governance and not just presidential position.
“In addition to having the earlier identified qualities, I urge Nigerians to vote right by choosing the right kind of leaders who have the virtues of integrity, efficiency, effectiveness, probity, fairness, accountability and transparency which are some of the values the institute shares and practices,” Atako said.
The president, advised the electorate to eschew violence, ballot box snatching and other forms of electoral malpractices which threaten the nation’s nascent democracy.
“While refusing to be induced, intimidated or manipulated, vote with your clear conscience to bring in people that will leave a legacy for the next generation.
“In addition, I enjoin the electorate to shun divisive tendencies of choosing leaders based on ethnic and religious sentiments which have been the bane of the nation’s democratic experience,” she said.
Atako commended the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the visible efforts so far to ensure that they give the nation fair, free, safe and credible elections.
She urged politicians to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting election results or seek redress through the judiciary by going to court if dissatisfied with the results.
“This is better than resorting to undemocratic means to reclaim their mandates.
“I believe that the nation will get it right if all concerned play by the rules,” she said.(NAN)