Under Pressure: NPC Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Efforts to Cancel 2023 Presidential Election

National Peace Committee (NPC), led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, recently disclosed the intense pressure it faced during the 2023 presidential election. According to Gen. Abdulsalami, partisans and other unnamed elements sought to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to either halt the collation of results or cancel the election altogether.

This revelation was made during the public presentation of the NPC’s comprehensive 106-page report on the 2023 General Elections, titled “Nigeria’s Pursuit of Electoral Compliance: National Peace Committee NPC 2023 General Elections Report.” The report sheds light on the behind-the-scenes maneuvers that aimed to sway the election’s outcome, emphasizing the immense pressure exerted on the NPC during this critical period.

In another development, President Bola Tinubu extended warm congratulations to former Head of State General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (fondly known as IBB) on his 83rd birthday. In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Tinubu praised IBB’s contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly in infrastructure, such as the completion of the Third Mainland Bridge, which was the longest bridge in Africa at the time. President Tinubu commended Babangida’s role in shaping modern Nigeria and his lasting impact on the nation.

Meanwhile, Afe Babalola, a prominent legal figure and founder of Afe Babalola University, criticized the federal government’s distribution of food palliatives, arguing that such actions are turning Nigerians into beggars. During a visit from the Prestige Sisters League, Babalola expressed concern over the country’s escalating hunger and insecurity, urging the government to address these issues by revisiting the 1963 constitution.

In a separate message, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, called on opposition political parties to learn unity from General Ibrahim Babangida. Atiku praised IBB’s inclusive political approach, highlighting his distinguished military career and his unique ability to captivate those who encounter him.

In security news, troops from 1 Brigade and Sector 1 Joint Task Force (North West) under Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) successfully neutralized two extremists during a fierce encounter in Zamfara State. Acting on credible intelligence, the troops engaged in a serious gun battle in the Unguwar Sarkin Musulmi area of Kaura Namoda Local Government, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by these violent extremists.

This series of events reflects the ongoing challenges and notable developments in Nigeria’s political and security landscape. The NPC’s revelations, coupled with the various reactions and efforts by prominent figures, underscore the complexities facing the nation as it continues to navigate its path forward.