Ekiti Election: CAN Warns Security Agencies, INEC against Rigging

By Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Christians  Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ekiti chapter, has appealed to the police and  other security agencies, as well as  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  not to subvert the people’s will during the July 14 governorship election in the state.

The body warned  that the sanctity of the ballot must be respected for Ekiti to be politically stable,  develop and progress in all ramifications.

The religious body also  urged President Muhammadu Buhari to devise ways to curtail killings in the North East and North Central Nigeria, describing  how Christians were being mowed down by suspected insurgents and killer herdsmen as horrendous and unacceptable to the body.

It said the matter became worse and more frightening with the way these assailants now deployed their arsenals against Christians, by killing worshipers in their places of worship.

The body also mourned  the deaths  of the CAN General Secretary, Dr. Musa Asake, and the General Overseer of the Chapel of His Glory in Ekiti, Rev. Kunle Salami.

CAN stated these at its plenary meeting held at First Baptist Church, Odo Ayedun in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Friday.

In the communiqué  jointly  signed by its State Chairman, Rev.  Joshua Orikogbe, and Secretary,  Rev. Ipinlaye Samuel, CAN said : “We implore INEC and security agencies  to be neutral and independent and create conducive atmosphere for free, fair and credible election.

“We call on all Christians to go out and vote for candidates of their choice without fear or intimidation. We also appeal to losers to embrace the winner and equally strive to abide by the rules of election.”

CAN said several attacks by herdsmen had caused deaths and destruction of property of innocent Nigerians, saying these  could ignite another civil war if not properly handled.

“We solicit that the federal government should expedite action for speedy release of  Leah Sharibu, one of the schoolgirls who has been in captivity for over three months.

“The federal government should not just  release her, they should bring  her captors and the  perpetrators of all form of killings in

Nigeria to book while we charge our people to be security conscious wherever they may be”, CAN advised.

The religious association begged Buhari to place high premium on youth employment, saying  empowerment of these category of population will help in combating insecurity that was daily wreaking havoc on Nigerians.

The association pleaded for religious harmony in the country, saying nothing can profit a nation whose citizens are killing their compatriots due to religious differences.