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Be polite in your expressions when recruiting
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has asked politicians and their agents to be polite and respectful in their expressions during the solicitation of votes ahead of this year’s general election.
The Church said it noted that rather than marketing a party’s agenda and candidate’s manifesto through campaigns based on issues and language discipline, the campaigns of some political parties are often characterized by the use of excessive language, expressing of threats, character assassination and the spread of disinformation.
The Secretary General of CSN, The Most Rev. Father Zechariah Samjumi, addressed journalists at the 2023 Media Parley organized by the Church and instructed the political parties to understand that elections are not a matter of anything else.
“We also found that rather than marketing a party’s agenda and a candidate’s manifesto through values-based campaigning and language discipline, some political party campaigns are often characterized by the use of immoderate language, the expression of threats, character assassination and the spread of misinformation and outright lies about their opponents.
“We urge all Nigerians, especially politicians and their agents, to be polite, decent and respectful in their expressions as they solicit votes and debate the future of the country.
“Political parties and candidates must understand that elections are not an all-or-nothing affair and remember that no one is good enough to lead another without his/her consent.
“The candidates must abide by their signed peace agreement and call on their followers to shun violence and violence. Only peaceful elections can guarantee the peaceful Nigeria we want to live in,” the Catholic Church said.
Father Samjumi told the Nigerians that the election is a very opportune moment that should be used well. He said a better life awaits Nigerians if they do the right thing in this election.
“To this end, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria have released a Pastoral Letter on the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria, emphasizing the decorum and discipline necessary for the free, fair and credible conduct of these elections.
“In their document, the bishops remind all men and women of good will in Nigeria that democracy cannot thrive in a society where the rule of law is often violated.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians, regardless of creed or tribe, who are of voting age and have registered, to participate fully in the election process, including registering, collecting their Permanent Voter Card (PVC), voting and protecting their votes to make sure they count,” he stated.
He said that only with the power of the vote can Nigerians bring about the real progress they need in the country.
The church further urged Nigerians to refrain from selling their votes; rather, they should vote on the basis of their conscience and common sense, ensuring that only candidates who will improve their lives gain power.
“Young people must refuse to be used as criminals, contract killers and electoral offenders.
“We call on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the obstacles of high transaction costs associated with collecting the PVCs across the country.
“In order to ensure a level playing field for all voters, INEC has a huge task in ensuring that BVAS will operate in all 176,846 polling stations across the country on Election Day, as well as the efficient electronic transmission of results from the polling stations. This will ensure transparency and trust in the electoral process.
“We are aware of credible allegations of electoral tampering in various parts of Nigeria.
“We implore INEC to carefully investigate these allegations and ensure that, to the extent they are well founded, all those involved are held accountable in a timely manner.
“Furthermore, it has been discovered that multiple registrations occurred alongside intentional and incorrect entry of voter information; we implore the Commission to ensure that due diligence is exercised in accurately documenting and purging the electoral roll,” he added.
On the state of the nation, the pastor said, despite various interventions and advice to the rulers of our bishops, both as a body and as individuals, Nigeria continues to plunge deeper into the abyss.
He said that every day the country continues to witness ubiquitous killings of innocent civilians in their homes, churches, mosques, streets, trains, roads and events.
“Kidnapping, invasion of towns and cities, wanton looting and corruption, ransom-taking, rape and territorial conquest are unfortunately the order of the day.
“We are saddened that Nigerians in their homeland are now at the mercy of non-state actors, who not only terrorize but also murder civilians from the East to the West, the Southern and Northern regions.
“Unfortunately, people have yet to find hope in the ability or desire of the current government to address the many problems that have plagued our dear country,” he said.
Commenting on the judiciary, Father Samjumi called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to set an example for judges who have abused or will abuse judicial powers in the course of this election cycle.
He told me that Nigeria’s first Catholic Episcopal Conference will take place for the year 2023
held February 11-17, 2023 at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja and will focus on the theme: Citizen Participation in Good Governance in Nigeria.
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