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Grace Okon
Christian Youth has called on all the political parties and INEC to save Nigeria from eventual collapse, and also warn those inciting violence to be mindful of their utterance.
They made the statement in Abuja while Amb. Phil Roberts, the National Coordinator Global Network for Sustainable Development in Collaboration with the Salute Nigeria Initiative and Civil Society Organisation Of Nigeria spoke on the state of the Nation.
Amb Phil said Nobody has the right to intimidate our fathers in the faith.
“We, therefore, express constructive views and concerns of our people in line with democratic tenets, and compliance with all applicable provisions for the expression of civil and political opinions”.
Speaking in Abuja, he said,” Civil society organisations monitored the elections and from what we saw, it is obvious that those inciting people to violence are those who hired armed thugs to intimidate and harass citizens, thereby making it difficult, if not impossible for them to freely exercise their franchise”.
Adding that those inciting people to violence are those shameless, greedy and desperate political charlatans who want electoral victory at all costs, even at the expense of people’s blood.
“Those inciting people to violence are those unscrupulous officials who have agreed to exchange people’s mandate with filthy lucre.
“Those inciting people to violence are the compromised electoral officers who have made it difficult for people’s votes to count. These are the people inciting violence. Have they finished with them yet?
“The most fundamental feature of democracy is free, credible and fair elections. Any deviation or departure from this vital element renders the whole electoral process an exercise in futility.
“This can give rise to a myriad of social and political consequences, some of which may be too grave to bear”.
“So we are here to speak out against electoral malpractices and rigging, which should not be taken as public incitement to violence. Those condemning the widespread irregularities associated with this election should never be crucified.
“The truth remains that it is only in… justice, equity and fairness that peace can prevail in society because people are naturally bound to agitate once their rights are subverted”, he said.
Amb. Phil said, it is not those speaking out against electoral malpractices that are inciting people to violence, but those who are perpetrating the malpractice.
“We, therefore, take the statement by one Mr Dele Alake, Special Adviser, Media and Communication of APC, for the apprehension of the revered clergy, Dr Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and others as a direct affront on democracy and freedom of speech in this country”.
“So we dismiss the statement as an unwarranted threat to his life, as well as a breach of his fundamental human right.
As a free citizen of this country and a major stakeholder in society, Dr Paul Enenche has the freedom to express his opinions on matters of national importance.
“The church as a critical member of society shares heavily in the burden of bad governance and is not expected to watch the nation gravitate towards imminent disasters without speaking out.
“What former president Olusegun Obasanjo out of deep concern for the country, said and I quote, “At this stage, we do not need wittingly or unwittingly, to set this country on fire with the greed, irresponsibility and unpatriotic act of those who allegedly gave money to INEC officials for perversion…”
He said again, “Let me appeal to the INEC Chairman, if his hands are clean, to save Nigeria from the looming danger and disaster which is just waiting to happen.” should he be arrested too?
“What about the statement of condemnation and warning from the NLC to INEC and security personnel? What about the statement from the Labour party that, “A nation at the precipice like ours should not be stoking fires in its house filled with dry straws. INEC should not be the one that will strike the match.” Should they be arrested too?
“There is a chorus of voices, both locally and internationally decrying widespread violence, rigging and other forms of irregularities that greeted the current elections. For example, The International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) Joint Election Observation Mission (IEOM), in their joint preliminary statement issued on Monday, 27 February 2023, had expressed their concerns over INEC’s lack of transparency in the electoral process”.
“What about the statement of condemnation and warning from the NLC to INEC and security personnel? What about the statement from the Labour party that, “A nation at the precipice like ours should not be stoking fires in its house filled with dry straws. INEC should not be the one that will strike the match.” Should they be arrested too?
Speaking further, the national coordinator said, why is APC attacking those calling for electoral probity and sanity? Is APC coming out clear to tell Nigerians and the whole world that it is behind the electoral misfortune of Nigerians and the shameless beneficiary of it?
“We advise the APC to join well-meaning Nigerians and the international community in the condemnation of electoral malpractices, and stop acting as a culpable party in this grand plot to subvert the will of the people.
“APC, lack any locus stand to call for the arrest of anyone speaking out against electoral malpractices as they can’t be a judge in their case.
The APC’s statement is, therefore, fundamentally flawed, technically incongruous, and morally dubious, and should be disregarded.
“We expect the state, to treat those speaking out against irregularities as partners in progress for helping in building a sound, sane and vibrant democratic society that is intolerant of all forms of electoral criminality.
“The federation needs to look into the matter of election malpractice although INEC is an independent entity since they promised us the deployment of BVAS and we know that BVAS authenticate and counts at the same time we experience a different thing on Election Day”, he said.
Comrade Salihu Dantata Director for Publicity Arewa Youth for Peace called on the Chief Commander of the federation to look into the matter of election malpractice.
” Although INEC is an independent entity since they promised us the deployment of BVAS, and we know that BVAS authenticate and counts at the same time, we experienced a different thing on election day.
Pastor Love Shevin the Vice President CPFN/PFN Youth wing of CAN, condemned the calling of security agencies on pastor Dr Paul Enenche for expressing his fundamental human right, while also advising politicians to stop intimidating clergymen
Speaking further he said “we as Christian youth cannot accept rigging, we voted and we know who we voted for.
We are calling on other Nigerians to speak out the truth to the INEC chairman to allow free and fair elections.We do not want a repeat of June 12 and End SARS saga of 2020.
