By; ADAMA JOHN, Lokoja
Catholic Cardinal, John Onaiyekan has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take advantage of the off circle elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to redeem its battered image before Nigerians, saying the image of the commission is currently at its lowest ebb.
Onaiyekan who represented the Chairman of National Peace Committee, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar gave this advice in Lokoja during the signing of peace accord by the 18 political parties in Kogi State and their governorship candidates on Wednesday November 8, 2023.
Cardinal Onaiyekan lamented that Nigerians have lost confidence in the ability of the commission to conduct free, fair and credible elections, owing to its past records in previous elections in the country and urged the commission to redeem its battered image.
To him, the electorate who are to choose credible leaders, the contestants who are to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner and the government agencies such as INEC, and security agencies who are to remain neutral and transparent during elections are the key players in peaceful and transparent elections in the country.
Cardinal Onaiyekan urged the contestants and their political parties not to see the signing of the peace accord as mere rituals but to abide by the contents of rules and regulations guiding the election.
Speaking on behalf of the INEC chairman, the National commissioner representing Kogi, Nasarawa and Kwara states, Alhaji Sanni Mohammed Adam assured that INEC will conduct free, fair, transparent and credible election.
He however, called on the political players to caution their supporters to abide by the rule of the game and thank the National Peace committee for organising the peace accord.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence, Mr A.H Sanni who represented the IGP on the occasion, assured the committee and the people of the state that the election will be peacefully as all necessary machineries have been put in place to guarantee just that.
