2019 Elections: ‘Vote your conscience, vote right’ •Mercy Johnson, other celebrities counsel Nigerians ahead of today’s polls

 Gordons  — If you refuse to vote you have voted
In a country such as ours, if you refuse to vote, invariably you have voted because your silence is consent. But if you go out and vote, even though your candidate may not win, your conscience will be at peace that you voted. So, my advice to everyone and anyone eligible to vote is that they should all come out; look beyond the fear and vote. Vote your conscience. Vote the man you think will win.

 

Mercy Johnson —Power now lies with us. 

I am still speechless at the last minute cancellation of the elections. Such a shame! Silence is not consent.  23 February is here. The power lies with us as a people. Vote your conscience, vote right.

Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD)  —Our votes really do count

It is important that we know that our votes count. Our votes really do count. If they don’t count they won’t bribe for it, people won’t snatch ballot boxes. Votes really do count. A lot of people think that votes don’t count. Votes count. This is why people should go out there and vote.

Another thing I would like to say to younger people is that they have to learn to embrace two-party system. We are heading towards it. They should find one of the parties that suits them and go into that party en mass and take the party from within. They keep talking from the outside thinking that the other party would change. The only way parties can present young candidates is when young people populate the party, when they seize the party from within. That is my encouragement. After this election, young people should go into the party. You have four years to plan. Young people are taking over the banking and other sectors; they should go into the political parties too. Go there, register and become active members of the party. That is how they can field that presidential candidate or representatives in elections.

 

Fabian Adibe —I’ll go out and vote in spite of my health condition

I would want people to come out and vote despite the postponement. I know that a lot of people must have lost some money going from one state to the other. I am happy that the government has done something to relieve the burden of people. Our friends in the civil service will be paid their February salary. So I encourage everyone to vote so that we will have a free and fair election. That is my advice to everybody. I will go and vote despite my health challenge. I pray to God that today’s election will be successful.

 

Shan George —The postponement disorganised us, but…

The last minute election postponement disorganised so many people’s schedules. President Buhari would have saved Nigerians from a lot of headache by signing the electoral bill so that card readers would be admissible in court, in case of any brouhaha, but he refused to do so. But I am not discouraged because we must make our votes count this time. I implore all Nigerians to make sure they all come out without fear and cast their votes.

Bolanle Austen Peters – This is the only opportunity to make people in power accountable

In spite of the many imperfections, our system might manifest positive results. It is important we continue to exercise our civic duties. This is the only time we have the opportunities to make people in power accountable and increasingly it seems to be working. The effort at campaigning and the many debates and interviews show that it is no longer business as usual. Things are changing and even politicians are now aware that they are accountable to the electorate.

 

Omo Sandra – It’s time to combat the high level of poverty in the country

Well, for me it’s all about the well being of Nigerians and Nigeria. It’s time to combat the high level of poverty in the country. The poverty level in this country is high. And this is actually what fuels corruption and crime. So Nigerians need to vote with this in mind. We need someone who can effect an upward movement in the economy. Also, people need to learn to enjoy the process. It’s not fight as we make it out to be.

 

Funky Mallam – It is not business as usual

President Buhari has made it clear to everyone that it’s not going to be business as usual. People should go out and vote their choice and wait for the result. Don’t get involved in any trouble because the security personnel are really going to be brutal to any unscrupulous elements.

 

Muma Gee – Vote for candidates that will take us to next level positively

My advice to Nigerians, come 23rd Saturday 2019 is to come out en mass and discharge their civic duties peacefully with zero violence by voting the candidate(s) that appeal to their conscience, candidates with the capacity and ability to  work towards taking our great Nation- NIGERIA to greater heights and next level positively.

Steph-Nora Okere – What is worth doing is worth doing well

I listened to the views of the INEC chairman on the reasons for the postponement and they sound pretty reasonable to me. In the same vein, I would say, what is worth doing is worth doing well. And for Nigerians going out to vote this Saturday, I will plead that we have one thing at the back of our minds: the PEACE and PROGRESS of the country. Let’s vote and not fight.

 

Etinosa Idemudia – The future of your children is in your hands

Vote wisely. The future of your children is in your hands. Young people should, however, desist from election violence. Be the change you want to see in the world.

 

John Njamah – We must avoid retrogressive progress

Today, I am done worrying about, and hoping on, the government. The political terrain is not getting any better. As long as we continue to practice partisan politics in this country, it will be difficult to elect the right leaders to take us to the promise land; we will continue to have what I call retrogressive progression.

My expectations and hope for the new government is very simple: have the people in mind, create a conducive and enabling environment for the people to work and live especially as it affects them from their different walks of life. Above all, they should lead us and not rule us. The postponement does not tell well about the level of preparedness of INEC. If not for anything it is a bad sign with negative vibes and at the same time a warning for us to be on guard. Our leaders have turned this country into a big joke, but I still believe we will get it right if and when we begin to see ourselves as one, learn to vote for people you believe in regardless of their party. It is a long journey and we have to get there together.

Illyrmz – Vote candidate with the collective interest of Nigerians

Vote your heart. Vote the candidate that has the collective interest of Nigerians.