CAN charges electorate on credible leadership

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Kaduna State Peace and Mediation Working Committee (KSPMWC) have called on voters to avoid voter-apathy and come out en masse to vote their preferred candidates during the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

The Chairman of the state chapter of the association, Rev. Joseph Hayab, gave this advice in a statement, yesterday,

He said: “CAN demands that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be neutral, just and truly independent to redeem its tainted image, resulting from concerns of lack of transparency in the just concluded presidential poll,” adding that INEC must ensure compliance with provision of the Electoral Act as amended.

“Likewise, CAN appeals to men and women of Nigeria’s security agencies to demonstrate true patriotism by ensuring citizens are free to exercise their civic rights without fear or favour.”

Hayab remarked that while CAN advises the citizenry to resist the temptation of incitement, as there can be only one winner in the end, aspirants need to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship to build a state that we all will be proud of before, during and after the elections.

He said: “Let us vote for leaders that will improve, build a safe, inclusive, secure and prosperous state.”

Meanwhile, while urging residents to avoid voter apathy, the Kaduna Peace Committee urged them to come out en masse to cast their votes during the exercise in the state.

KSPMWC Chairman, Rev. Bitrus Dangiwa, made the call during a press briefing, held in Kaduna, yesterday, saying: “the outcome of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly election has demoralised a lot of people, leaving some vowing never to exercise their franchise again.”

According to him, “INEC has done a good job, but must work on gray areas and ensure they remain independent in the course of discharging their duty.”