The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has had more than enough time to prepare for the 2023 general elections.
The religious body charged the electoral umpire to ensure that the upcoming elections are seamless, credible, and violence-free.
In a statement by Daniel Okoh, CAN president, the association told INEC that it had four years to prepare for the polls and as such, there is no excuse for failure.
It called on security operatives to beef up security in violence-prone communities to ensure no one is disenfranchised.
“On behalf of the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), it is my honour and immense pleasure to join the call on citizens to resist any attempt to cause disharmony and disaffection ahead of the upcoming general elections,” the statement reads.
“We must see the elections as a time of peaceful transition of leadership and not war. Consequently, there’s a need for all and sundry to put away religious and ethnic bigotry and allow the will of God to prevail.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must ensure that this election is seamless, credible, and violence-free. The Commission has no excuse to fail. Four years is enough time for it to have perfected the process and eliminated the glitches that featured in past polls.
“CAN calls on the authorities to beef up security, especially in communities vulnerable to attacks, and ensure that no citizen is disenfranchised owing to precarious security situation in parts of the country.
“We charge the security agencies to be unbiased and remain neutral while discharging their duties, especially during the forthcoming general elections.
“CAN urges all the political parties and candidates seeking elective positions during the forthcoming general elections to accept the results of the polls in good faith in the interest of Nigerians and the unity of the country.”
The association also spoke on the “suffering” experienced by Nigerians as a result of the cash and petrol scarcity.
“We note the current suffering of the people which is gradually becoming unbearable due to the gross shortage of Naira notes in the system and plead with President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify efforts to mitigate the hardship,” CAN said.
“The national leadership of CAN urges all the faithful in the country not to relent in praying for our dear country Nigeria because prayer is the most potent instrument of warfare at our disposal.
“Let us remind ourselves that the economic, political, and security situations in the country do not give joy to anyone, but keep our hopes alive at this time.”