http://www.newsportng.com.ng The Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to use the March 18th, slated for the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections to redeemed their ‘tinted image’ as an aftermath of the February 25th presidential and National Assembly poll.
The CAN Chairman Kaduna state, Rev. John Joseph Hayab made the call in a press statement issued to Journalists in Kaduna on Thursday, said INEC should use the Saturday’s election to address the many concerns resulting from lack of transparency among other challenges, as complained by voters during the February 25th elections.
Hayab who charged the electoral body to as a matter of necessity remain neutral and ensure that the choice of Kaduna residents emerged victoriously, urged the commission to follow it’s guidelines as stipulated in the Electoral Act 2022, amended.
While calling on voters to shun apathy, the Cleric salutes all Christians and citizenry of the state for coming out en masse to vote during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, adding that, the turnout of first-time voters points to a high level of wakefulness by the citizenry to exercise their universal franchise.
He stressed that the voters conducted themselves peaceably before, during and after the elections, urging all eligible voters in the state to come out to vote for the candidates of their choice, especially for candidates that have shown commitment to the peace and unity of the diverse groups of people they aspire to lead.
Hayab said, “CAN demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) be neutral, just and truly independent to redeem its tainted image resulting from the concerns of lack of transparency in the just concluded polls. Accordingly, INEC must ensure compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act as amended.
“Likewise, CAN appeal to men and women of the Nigerian security forces to demonstrate true patriotism by ensuring that citizens are free to exercise their civic rights without fear or favour. While CAN entreat the citizenry to resist the temptation of incitement as there can be only one winner at the end, the aspirants need to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship aimed at building a Kaduna state that we all will be proud of before, during and after the elections.
“CAN salute all Christians and citizenry of our dear state for coming out en masse to vote during the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on Saturday 25th February 2023.
“We applaud the voters for conducting themselves peaceably before, during and after the elections, appealed to all eligible voters in the state to come out and vote for the candidates of their choice, especially for candidates that have shown commitment to the peace and unity of the diverse groups of people they aspire to lead.
“The turnout of first-time voters points to a high level of wakefulness by the citizenry to exercise their universal franchise.
“The Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, 18th March 2023, therefore, CAN calls on all eligible voters in the state to come out to vote for the candidates of their choice, especially to vote for aspirants that have shown commitment to the peace and unity of the diverse groups of people they aspire to lead.” March 18
