The All Progressives Congress (APC) has welcomed the stated commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan, in his New Year message, to the conduct of free, fair and violence-free elections this year, but urged the President to match the commitment with action.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party expressed satisfaction that the President and his party have come out publicly to join the APC in pledging commitment to successful and violence-free polls next month.

”In a statement we issued on Dec. 28th 2014, we assured Nigerians that we will do everything in our power to make the 2015 elections violence-free. Since then, PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu and the President have joined us in making similar pledges. This is a welcome development that will gladden the hearts of our citizens who are very apprehensive about the forthcoming elections,” it said.

APC however said the best way to make the elections free, fair and devoid of violence is for the Federal Government to ensure a level playing field for all the parties by not tampering with the independence of INEC, not using the security agencies to witch-hunt the opposition and not deliberately disenfranchising all those who are qualified to vote

”If an election is free, fair and transparent and seen to be so by all, it will be easy for all concerned to accept the outcome, and there will be no violence. Violence only occurs when there is a realization that the process has been skewed against some and in favour of others,” the party said.

It restated its assurance to Nigerians and the international community that it will do all in its power to make sure that the 2015 general election is violence-free

”We also restate our stand that even with the little time left for the election to hold, a meeting of the leadership of the two main political parties, the APC and the PDP, will send a powerful message to our compatriots and indeed the international community and douse the tension that is building up ahead of the election,” APC said.

The party wishes all Nigerians a Happy New Year, and urged them to be prepared to use their votes to install a government that will make their dreams come true and make Nigeria a proud member of the comity of nations.

*Press Statement