Nigerians Must Have Faith In INEC — Bishop Ezeokafor 

Raymond Ozoji, Awka

The Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Chukwuemeka Ezeokafor, has called on Nigerians to have faith in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections come 23rd February, 2019 in spite of the initial postponement of the polls.

He made the call on Sunday at a press conference in Awka. The Bishop expressed confidence in the fact that only INEC can give Nigeria credible leaders.

Although Ezeokafor pointed out that the postponement of the elections has dented the nation’s image in the international community, he emphasized that the commission should not be crucified by Nigerians for its inability to conduct the polls at the initial date even though it has taken responsibility for its negligence and dereliction of its statutory obligations.

The Catholic prelate noted that the postponement of the 2019 elections was shocking because INEC had assured Nigerians that they were in good stead for the elections only to frustrate Nigerians at the neak of time.

According to him, many travelled from far and wide for the elections but have been demoralized by the inability of INEC to hold the polls  and its subsequent postponement urging Nigerians not to count their losses but be optimistic that credible leaders would emerge when the election is conducted. He emphasized that no amount of sacrifice would be too much for the nation to have true and honest leaders to pilot the affairs of the country for the next four years.

Bishop Ezeokafor also advised Nigerians to shun vote-selling and vote-buying during the elections as leaders who are collective decision of the people would not emerge through such a faulty process. He described such vices as mortal sin and that if INEC fails the second time, Nigeria is finished.