CAN cautions INEC, security agencies against manipulating election results

Nine governorship candidates sign peace pact in Plateau
President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Samson Ayokunle, has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and law enforcement agencies against manipulating results of the 2019 general elections.

He stressed that if they manipulate the election results in favour of any particular candidate, they and their entire generations will regret it.

He urged the youths to use their large population to install a new Nigeria and credible leaders that would give greater hope to the country, adding: “This is not the time for religious bigotry or nepotism.

Speaking at the National Prayer for the forthcoming elections yesterday in Abuja, Ayokunle, who advocated free, fair, credible and hitch-free general elections, insisted that INEC and security agents should be neutral and unbiased in their conduct in order not to mortgage the future of Nigerians.

Also speaking, Prelate of Methodist Church, Dr. Samuel Uche, warned that nobody should assume that they must rule Nigeria by force, adding that people’s votes must count at all levels and those with the highest number of votes should be declared winner.

Meanwhile, as the 2019 general election approaches, nine gubernatorial candidates in Plateau State have signed a peace pact towards peaceful election, as Governor Simon Lalong charged the political class to refrain from acts capable of derailing the electoral processes.

In his goodwill message at the interactive session organised by the Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre in Jos yesterday, Lalong, who is candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), enjoined politicians to be tolerant and desist from any acts or speech that might cause disunity among the people.

Speaking, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, reminded the candidates and party leaders that they were seeking election into office, not for their personal gain, but for the good of Plateau people.

He urged them to put the state and its citizens first in all they do and say during the campaigns and elections proper.

In his address, Chairman Plateau State Traditional Council and Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Gyang Buba, advised the candidates and their parties to take desperation out of politics, adding that attempting to win at all costs could breed violence, and that whoever wins the governorship election should be respected.