By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
His Grace, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, a former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, in Abuja on Saturday, advised politicians in the country to shun any form of electoral malpractices for a credible election in this year.
He said that Nigerians would not accept rigged elections anymore in the country.
He gave the warning during the celebration of his 40th anniversary as Bishop, at the Holy Trinity Church, Maitama in Abuja, saying that the repercussion would be disastrous and not in the interest of Nigerians.
According to him, politicians scheming to manipulate results of this year’s election would be healthy, nothing that the current mood of the country as anything could happen at the slightest provocation.
Onaiyekan stated that the current yearnings of Nigerians is for a better country, assuring that the election would no longer be business as usual as regards to the results of the elections, politicians should desist from any form of manipulations to their favour, if not voted for.
He warned all those planing to play games and scheme to rig in order to frustrate the desire of the decision of the people as regards the results of the elections to desists from such in the interest of the country.
“All of them, whether they are in government or not, should desist from rigging or causing violence; they should not do it; they should allow this election to run in a free and fair way,” he explained.
For the sake of peace, the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese said that there would be serious repercussions if anybody doesn’t allow a free and fair elections. It won’t be business as usual, anymore.
He wants Nigerians to know that they can no longer keep quiet all the time, hoping that things will change; that God will work miracles.
While insisting that he had no special candidate, Onaiyekan said the advice was for the politicians to understand that “the mood in which Nigeria now is not a mood that they will quietly accept a rigged election.” but to ensure that the vote of every Nigerian count.
He advised them (politicians) to fear God, saying they would answer to their actions before Him when they leave this world.
He assured that even if no one asks questions, God will definitely ask questions and He has His way of asking questions to the deeds of all humanity.
