The organisation also clarified that it does not have a preferred candidate in the forthcoming general elections.
The President of Sahara Deck, Olamide Oni, stated these during an enlightenment and sensitization rally on the peaceful conduct of elections at the Dei-Dei building materials market in Abuja.
According to him, the commitment of NAS to support the country in conducting a free, fair and peaceful election, was a patriotic duty.
The Pyrates Confraternity, had last year, dominated news headlines, after a viral video on social media showed its members chanting a song about a presidential candidate whose “hands and feet are shaking, yet he is saying ‘it is my turn.’”
The video, which was apparently referring to the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, drew instant condemnation from Nobel Laureate and one of the founders of NAS, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
The organisation quickly distanced itself from the video, maintaining that it had remained apolitical since it was founded in 1952.
While reiterating its stance, Oni said the idea behind the enlightenment campaign was too sensitise Nigerians to come out next week Saturday to vote, adding that the pyrates confraternity was non-partisan.
He said, “This sensitization campaign is to ensure that Nigerians do not only vote but that they must also know the procedure about voting so that their vote will count and not be wasted. We are also sensitizing the people on the need for them to check for their polling units before the election because according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, some polling units have been moved and voting won’t take place in some.
“As an organisation, we are coming out to tell the people to vote and elect whoever they feel is the best candidate to do the job. The Central Bank of Nigeria, can do whatever they feel will curb vote buying but we are not coming from the angle of partisanship.”
Oni also commended INEC for getting set for the coming election.
“We had a question and answer session with the INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye where he reeled out their preparation. So far, we can give them a pass mark that they have tried and are prepared for the forthcoming elections.
“We, therefore, call on politicians to be calm, ensure peaceful coexistence, shun thuggery, violence and vote buying in this coming election.”
