2023 Polls: Avoid Plunging Nigeria Into Crisis, Catholic Bishops Tell INEC

Catholic Bishops under the auspices of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avoid plunging Nigeria into an avoidable crisis, by promptly taking adequate steps to address the issues of concern, before announcing the 2023 presidential election result, to diffuse the prevailing tension and in the interest of the common good of all.

President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Lucius Ugorji, in a statement on Tuesday on the general elections held on February 25, said that no matter how long it takes, INEC must ensure that it does the right thing now, to ensure that the sanctity of the collective will of the electorate is not violated, and to restore the confidence of the citizenry in the government and its institutions.

According to the CBCN president, “For a very long time now, we have been praying for peaceful, transparent, and credible elections as well as an accurate transmission of their results. We thank God, who in His infinite mercy, has continued to save our country Nigeria from chaos, anarchy, and doom.

“Before the general elections of February 25, 2023, Nigerians were assured both by the federal government and by INEC that enough electoral reforms and preparation had been made to ensure that the sovereign will of the people would be accurately reflected in the conduct of the elections.

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“Hence, people trooped out in their numbers to cast votes in order to freely choose their next President and representatives at the Senate and Federal House of Assembly. Unfortunately, the experiences of many voters on Election Day were a far cry from the hitch-free exercise that was repeatedly promised.

“In many places, the human element is alleged to have compromised the gains that were expected from the innovations of the new Electoral Act. In addition, the delay in the electronic transmission of the results of the polling units to the INEC Results Viewing Portal before their announcement at the collation centres has raised suspicion in many minds about the transparency of the entire process.

“There is, therefore, palpable tension in the air and agitations not just by some political parties but by a cross-section of the Nigerian population. At this time, when the nation is standing at the edge of a dangerous precipice, INEC must live above board to avoid plunging the nation into an avoidable crisis. Finally, we appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm, law-abiding, and fervent in prayers.”

The Catholic Bishops further urged the leaders of political parties to exercise restraint, while asking Nigerians give INEC the time to prove that it is still worthy of their trust.