The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, not to soil his name in the conduct of the general elections.The Christian body in a statement by its President, Dr. Felix Omobude, on Tuesday, described the elections as an opportunity for Jega to write his name in gold before the expiration of his tenure.
It said, “Jega and the other INEC officials must discharge their duties diligently. They must remember that the eyes of the world are fixed on Nigeria at this time. They cannot afford to fail millions of Nigerians, home and abroad, who look forward to a well-planned and brilliantly-executed elections.
“ The electoral body must ensure that the process is transparent, free and fair, and that the electorate is not disenfranchised, with eligible voters given the opportunity to perform their civic duty. This is a defining moment in the history of Nigeria and we must put in our best to get things right.”
The group also reiterated its call for peace among Nigerians, maintaining that the elections should not be a ‘do-or-die affair’.
It warned politicians to eschew all forms of violence and encourage their supporters to be peaceful, arguing that defeat at the polls was not an excuse for violence.
The statement read, “The political class must play politics without bitterness. No one’s ambition can be greater than the nation’s survival, so caution must take the place of desperation in the quest for power.
“We call on all Nigerians to make peace our watchword, embrace love and get involved in the electoral process by undertaking their civic responsibilities in a civil and rancour-free manner.
“If we conduct ourselves well and do the right thing, Nigeria ultimately will be the winner.”
