Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has charged all party leaders to restrain spokespersons from escalating rude language and exchanges on social media and traditional media.
NEF also appealed to Nigerians to allow the judiciary undertake its onerous responsibility under a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Director, Publicity and Advocacy of NEF, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in statement in Abuja on Friday said the forum is however concerned over rhetorics and exchanges which raise tensions and fuel negative dispositions that threaten inter-community relations.
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He said: “At any rate, Nigerians should be reminded that our country must survive these elections and address the conduct of elections that have improved standards of quality as well as strengthen the foundations of our peaceful co-existence.
“Northern Elders Forum has sustained its decision to exercise responsible vigilance over the 2023 elections, and encourage emergence of leaders under credible, free and fair elections and a peaceful transition from the current administration to the next one.
“It has followed the conduct of the elections, some of which are still being planned or conducted.
“The Forum welcomes the decision of contestants who feel the elections had not met legal thresholds of acceptability to seek for adjudication over its credibility and settle other constitutional issues related to it.
“It is also concerned that leaders are not exercising enough responsibility to encourage respect for the judicial process, a key element of the electoral process, forum”.
NEF also reminded the judiciary that Nigerians look up to it to salvage democracy and restore the faith of Nigerians over its integrity and competence in the manner it handles all election matters.