From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Catholic Bishops under the umbrella of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) have raised concerns about the efficiency, functionality and accuracy of the newly introduced Bi-modal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) in the coming elections.
The Catholic Bishops, thus reminded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the coming election is very important and crucial to Nigerians, and nothing should temper with the credibility of the process.
CBCN President, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, in his remarks at the opening session of the 2023 first plenary assembly of the CBCN in Abuja, on Sunday, asked INEC to, perhaps, do assessment of the BVAS using the recently conducted mock accreditation exercise and improve on areas with lapses.
Bishop Ugorji said: “We applaud INEC for introducing BVAS in our electoral process. However, we hope INEC will ensure that the BVAS machines are functional on election days in all the polling units across the country even in the remotest wards, following the repeated assurances of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in this regard.
“Let the fears in some quarters not be confirmed that the BVAS machines might be manipulated or pre-programmed to be functional in some polling units and dysfunctional in others. Any infraction by INEC staff on the use of the BVAS during the general elections should be reported to the appropriate quarters.”
Bishop Ugorji charged INEC to live above board as an independent and impartial umpire and ensure that their conduct in the electoral process is beyond reproach. “We urge INEC officers to be punctual on election days and ensure that all the sensitive electoral materials are in place in time, and also ensure that the collation and transmission of the electoral results are done transparently and honestly.”
The Catholic Bishops, also reminded the law enforcement agents that their primary duty on the election day is to enforce law and order as well as ensure the safety and integrity of sensitive electoral materials.
“We urge them to be apolitical and professional in the exercise of their duties by being impartial, civil and yet efficient. They should neither connive at election rigging nor aid and abet it.
“Similarly, we insist that the electoral process should not be militarized. The military should not be used to intimidate voters or political opponents. Likewise, candidates should shun the use of political thugs to disrupt the electoral process or to threaten their political opponents.
“In general, the youth should not allow themselves to be used as canon fodders by unscrupulous politicians to unleash violence or disrupt the electoral process.”
Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, in his homily at the meeting, said the theme of the conference, “Citizens’ participation in good governance in Nigeria” reflects the Bishops’ sensitivity to the great desire of the majority to shape the political future of this country.
He said: “Nigeria is a country where, as demonstrated in the murders in Owo, Katsina and Minna (where Fr. Isaac Achi, was burnt to death in the parish house) and many others, and now the scarcity and high cost of fuel and the newly invented scarcity of the Naira, have heightened a feeling of suspense and uncertainty.
“Before these daunting challenges, we face two risks: giving in to hopelessness and despair or to compromise our values and end up with leaders who were never intended by God nor elected by men.
“The Liturgy of this Sunday was apt for a people living in our type of context, for it urges us to be aware of the kind of choices we make in life or even the choices we are about to make because these choices have serious implications for all of us.
“With our votes in the coming weeks, we can either choose a reasonable and productive use of power towards unity, security, a good economy or just abandon our fate in the hands of people who have neither capacity nor conscience,” he said.