2019: Igbos restates commitment to free, credible polls

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Igbos in Nasarawa State has promised to remain committed to the peaceful conduct of the elections by supporting the state government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The people, under the aegis of All Saints Igbo Catholic Community, ASICC, however, promised to remain committed to the peaceful conduct of the elections by supporting the state government and INEC.

Chairman of the community, Chief Nwagede Michael, who made the call at the thanksgiving, end of the year celebration and launching of its uniform at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in the state, however, charged INEC to ensure free, fair, peaceful and credible elections for the sustainable of democracy in the country.

He said: “Igbos are a people of destiny who must do all to keep the country, both the young people and the elders must preach peach peace at all times especially at this time that the country is going into another crucial moment of elections.

“We must have a home base. Yes, they receive us in Nasarawa, they receive us everywhere in the country, but we must have a strong home base like Israel. Once we have a strong home base like Israel, then we become useful to Nigeria the way God wants it

“We Igbos are God’s gift to Nigeria. Meanwhile, Nigeria is pushing Igbo down and therefore keeping Nigeria down. This appears to be the time Igbo will work to enthrone Nigeria to make Nigeria a superpower and that is our assignment and we must make sure that this exists. Igbos are egalitarian people, we want to sell that egalitarianism to all Nigerians.

“The elections are almost here. The campaigns are on, Nigerians should be praying to God. If we pray hard enough, the Yorubas, Hausas and the Igbos, the elections would be rancour free”.

Also speaking, a prominent member of the community, Chief Williams Abanonu, noted that with Nigeria setting an enviable record in the 2015 general elections, the country cannot afford to lower the standard in 2019.

“We must up the ante, because whatever we do will have impact on the continent and serve as a representation of Africa on the global stage”, he said.

Abanonu, while appealing to the Igbos resident in Nasarawa and other parts of the country to remain committed and contribute positively to the sustainability of democracy, said: “Nigerians must deal with those issues such as vote buying, staying away from God in order that the country would not be detract from the credibility and legitimacy of the coming 2019 polls”.

“We cannot afford to send the wrong signals with our actions or inactions as we prepare for the next elections. The world must take positive cues from us that we are ready to improve on our process, and make our electoral process more transparent and commendable. This is because perception matters, as you all know. Perception is, in fact, the reality.

“All of us who are gathered here have the responsibility to contribute ideas; the commission (INEC) should further seek the cooperation of all stakeholders, especially security agencies to ensure strict compliance. It is by so doing that Nigerians can trust the process, and it will be clear to all that the right steps have been taken”, he stressed.