Nigeria’s Challenges Shouldn’t Stop You From Voting, JDPC Tells Nigerians

Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) has urged Nigerians not to allow the challenges bedeviling the country to stop them from voting on election day.

The Kaduna State coordinator of JDPC, Rev Fr Joshua Achir made the call yesterday during a sensitization programme for voters in Kaduna.

Fr Achir explained that the essence of the enlightenment was to avoid voter apathy on election day.

“The insecurity bedeviling the country, the fuel scarcity, naira scarcity, all of these are indicators that there may be voter apathy. With these, we became concerned.

“Despite all these challenges facing the country, eligible voters should go out and exercise their franchise on February 25.

“You would have no right to complain about the issues that concern the common good if you don’t vote. You lose the right to complain about public parks, access roads, electricity, clean water, clean air, public safety and security architecture, justice and judicial systems, harmonious relationships, sustainable environment, rich biodiversity, and so on if you don’t participate.

“Citizens of voting age have the same constitutional rights and duties as everyone else to participate actively in public life by voting; they participate in the democratic process, which is in the interest of advancing the common good. They vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas and leaders who will support their interests.”

He further advised voters not to cast their votes on any candidate whose body language, antecedents or utterances have no respect for the dignity of human lives and common good.

“Any candidate who will have no consideration for freedom of religion, who does not support the principles of solidarity and subsidiary, who does not bother about the poor and vulnerable of society should not be voted for.  A candidate who will not guarantee security of lives and property is not worthy of vote.”

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the 2023 poll is free, fair, credible and verifiable.