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…demands fair, just, credible judgements from courts
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Catholic Bishops under the umbrella of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), have suggested that pressure be put on government to initiate reforms in which all election petitions would be determined before the swearing-in and inauguration of new administrations.
The Catholic Bishops thus challenged the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the media and Nigerians to take up the responsibilities considering the fact that they have the platform to amplify the call and achieve that for the betterment of Nigeria.
They, however, appealed to the courts handling election petition cases to be fair, just and credible in their judgements, stressing that such consideration will inspire confidence in the process and encourage every citizen to work for the common good of Nigeria, and by so doing, the people would have more confidence in the electoral process.
The suggestions were contained in a communique released at the end of the second plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) held in Abuja
The Catholic Bishops, in the communique which was signed by the CBCN President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, expressed disappointment with what transpired in the last general elections despite several promises and assurances by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the elections would be free, fair and credible.
“The 2023 general elections have come and gone. However, the process is not fully over as many of the announced outcomes are still being challenged in the tribunals and courts.
“In the communiqué issued after our first plenary assembly in February this year, we urged INEC and its officials to ensure transparency, honesty and fairness in the conduct of the elections. We thanked the Federal Government for enacting the Electoral Act 2022 and the Commission for introducing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as well as for repeated assurances that the results of the elections would be transmitted electronically in real time from the polling units.
“On that strength, we enjoined all eligible citizens to participate in the elections as a fulfilment of their civic responsibility. Expectedly, Nigerians trooped out and voted during the elections, looking forward to a free, fair and credible process but the conduct of the elections was marred by many pitfalls and irregularities.
“There were threats, intimidation, violence, poor logistics, inducement, impunity, manipulation of results as well as lack of transparency, as reported by our commissioned election observers from across the country.
“We fear that the effects of these irregularities may engender voter apathy and adversely affect the confidence of citizens in future elections. Nevertheless, we still encourage the electorate to always hope in God and not to despair in the exercise of their civic duties. We are pleased to note that many of the aggrieved persons opted to seek redress through the courts rather than inciting people to violence.
“As the judicial determination of the election petitions is ongoing, we continue to call on the tribunals and the courts to be fair, just and credible in their judgements in order to inspire confidence in the process and encourage every citizen to work for the common good.”
The Catholic Bishops also registered their discontent with the failing and worsening economic situation in Nigeria which, they said, has continued to make living difficult and hard for the people.
“Nigerians have been subjected to a life of poverty, hunger, hardship and suffering. The condition has been aggravated by the removal of fuel subsidy which has led to high cost of food items, transportation and meeting up with other essential needs. As if these are not enough, the hike in school fees has made it difficult for the children of the poor to continue their education.
“Based on past experience, we consider the resort to palliative measures as a treatment of the symptom rather than the cure for the disease. We, therefore, urge government to address the fundamental defective structures that deepened inequality and poverty.”
They suggested that governments provide enabling environment for the creation of more jobs for the teeming unemployed youths, in addition to measures that would curb the persistence of theft of oil and other minerals.
They also enjoined the government to radically review programmes aimed at alleviating the suffering of the youths, while the youths are not to resort to violence and crime as a substitute for hard work.
