Beware of your expressions, Catholic bishops warn candidates

…say that INEC should investigate alleged registry tampering

… release pastoral letter on 2023 polls

Nigerian politicians and their agents must be polite and respectful in their expressions as they solicit votes ahead of the upcoming general election, Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference warned Tuesday.

The organization regretted that, instead of marketing their candidates and manifestos through theme-based campaigning and language discipline, some political parties have begun using immoderate language, threats, character assassination and misinformation.

The CBCN expressed these views at a media meeting organized by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.

The Secretary General of CSN, Very Rev. Fr. Zechariah Samjumi instructed political parties to understand that elections are not a matter of everything.

“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.”

Samjumi told the Nigerians that the election is a very opportune time that should be used properly.

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 electoral process, including registering, collecting their permanent voter cards, voting and protecting their vote to make sure they count,” he said.

He said that only with the power of the vote can Nigerians bring about the real progress they need in the country.

The Church therefore called on Nigerians to refrain from selling their votes, but to vote in accordance with their conscience and common sense, ensuring that only candidates who will improve their lives gain power.

The cleric said: “Young people must refuse to be used as criminals, assassins and electoral offenders. We call on the Independent Electoral Commission to remove the obstacles of high transaction costs associated with collecting 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 polling station results. units. 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 urge INEC to carefully investigate these allegations and ensure that, where 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 committee to ensure due diligence is exercised in accurately documenting and purging the electoral roll.”

On the state of the nation, the pastor said, despite various interventions and advice from bishops to those in power, both as a body and individuals, Nigeria continues to plunge deeper into the abyss.

He said that every day the country continues to witness the ubiquitous killing 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.