The Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible polls.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos, Kaigama charged the electoral body to adhere strictly to the constitutional provisions in conducting the general elections.
The Archbishop also advised the electoral umpire not to be intimidated by activities of anybody in subverting the cause of justice.
“INEC should do the right thing by adhering to all constitutional provisions in the forthcoming elections; it should never be intimidated by anybody, no matter his influence, power or how highly placed in the society.
“INEC should stick to what is right and make sure they conduct an election that is fair, credible and honest. This is what we expect of it to do and nothing more or less,” he said.
Kaigama urged Nigerians to cooperate and support the electoral body in its bid to conduct peaceful and acceptable elections.
He added that the forthcoming polls would be rancour free only when the electorates conduct themselves in a peaceful manner.
He advised those yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so, adding that God would not come down from heaven to vote a leader for the people.
“I want to urge Nigerians who are yet to collect their PVCs to as a matter of urgency do so. This is because anyone without PVC will not vote on election days.
“God will not come down and elect a president, a governor, a senator and what have you for us; He does not elect people, we must do it ourselves and then He confirms them.
“We must do the right thing as human beings before we call on God for help. So, I want to call on Nigerians to take the forthcoming general elections seriously and should vote for the right people,” he advised.
The clergy stated that the Catholic Church has no preferred candidate, but would work with anyone God uses the people to elect in spite of religious or tribal affiliations.
“As a Church, we do not have preferred candidate; we are open to anyone God presents to us as a leader of this country and we will be loyal and obedient to the person, no matter his faith and tribal affiliations.
“We will respect and work with anybody that emerges as the president of this country because he is the symbol of Nigeria,” Kaigama said. (NAN)
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