Church of Nigeria Insists on Credible Polls

Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has solicited for a joint effort to ensure credible elections that will make the country better.

Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh made the call on Wednesday in an address during the Standing Committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria which took place at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Warri, Delta State.

With just 10 days to the elections, the Primate said, “every election result should reflect the will of the electorates; otherwise, it becomes a mockery of the whole exercise.

“As we go again for another decisive moment for the future of this country, we appeal to all eligible voters to resist every inducement tended towards buying votes as this will spell doom for all of us in the coming years; we appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not only to maintain the posture of unbiased umpire in this exercise, but to be verifiably seen to be doing so in every part of the country throughout this election,” the Primate said, adding, “If we must have free, fair and credible elections, all security agencies must remain neutral in this exercise; the military, the police, and others must be there to protect the interest of Nigeria as a nation, not individuals or particular political parties.”

Stating further, he added, “We call on the youth to refuse to be used to create chaos by men and women whose children have been taken to safety outside the shores of the country; INEC officials, political parties, their representatives, members, general and of course, the votes must be protected without partiality; we charge all the contestants under God, who will judge all the activities of men, to allow the election process to be free and fair and be willing, in the interest of peace, to accept the results of the election.”

The Primate, who also criticized the abduction of Leah Sharibu by Boko Haram, lamented the incessant strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and urged the federal government to revive the economy for the country to generate more funds.

Also speaking at the event was Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who said, “As we commence the process of electing the next set of leaders for our country and the constituent parts, it is my hope that the church must stay resolute in the place of prayer, whilst not shying away from strongly and actively participating in the electoral process.”

“We have the Biblical examples of Daniel, Elijah and Esther whose fervent intercession provoked God’s mercy, blessings and judgment, to encourage us to stay strong, especially in a time like this,” he stated, observing that the theme of the conference, ‘The Lord is My Shepherd,’ “is an enchanting portrait of the deep bond that should exist between Father-God and His beloved children; it is one characterized by trust, dependence, and loving care.”