The Catholic Bishops of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province has appealed to Nigerians, to “see the forthcoming general elections as most critical, as the outcome will determine the way forward for the nation.”
In an eight-point communique issued at the end of their two-day meeting at the Villa Assumpta, Owerri, Imo State, the Bishops said: “The elections in this year will be most critical, as the outcome will determine the way forward for the nation, in the face of inexhaustible array of challenges, complex security crises, a collapsing economy, and a lot more.
“We have, in the past, bemoaned the failings of the democratic experiment in our nation. We call on all citizens of this nation, to rise to our civic responsibility, and ensure credible 2023 general elections.
“This election will make or mar our country. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity. We pray for the dawn of a new Nigeria, where our children can look forward with hope.
“Nigerians should rise and vote, and vote rightly, so that we elect visionary, honest and compassionate leaders, with hearts that beat for the welfare of one and all, in our nation.”
The Catholic Bishops were also of the view that the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, and the expansion of voter access to polling units, for the first time in 25 years, were good reasons for optimism.
They charged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to “discharge its duty with utmost sense of responsibility, transparency, eschew corrupt practices and avoid all forms of monetary inducement from the politicians and their agents.”