Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Enugu State, has expressed fear that the delay in announcing the result of the governorship election held on the 18th of March, 2023, might be setting the state up for crisis, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to expedite action to avoid any breakdown of law and order.
CAN in press statement signed by her chairman, Rev. Emmanuel Edeh and Barr. Onuora, the secretary of the association, wondered why Enugu result will be withheld while the commission has made returns in virtually all the states where the same election was conducted.
CAN advised any interest group responsible for the delay to desist from such act forthwith so that the tension in the land can begin to die down.
The Christian body reminded INEC that before the election, some persons said the poll is a Do-or-Die affair and announcing this result could stop the breakdown of law by anyone planning such.
They advised anyone who might be dissatisfied with the outcome of the election not to resort to self help but seek redress through channels approved by the electoral act 2022.
The statement reads:
On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Enugu State, we make this press statement regarding the just concluded gubernatorial election in Enugu State as follows:
1. Elections for Governorship and State House of Assembly were conducted in Enugu State on 18th day of March, 2023, included in the elections in Enugu East Zone was that of the Senate:
2. It is on record that INEC has announced the results of other elections and declared the winners of these elections in Enugu State, accordingly, except that of the governorship;
3. As at this moment, the result of the governorship election is still within the custody of INEC without declaring the winner, thereby creating tension in Enugu State;
4. As a Christian community with our members predominantly resident in Enugu State and for further plea for peaceful coexistence, we hereby urge INEC to declare the winner;
5. INEC should note that prior to the elections of 18th March, 2023, there were already some threats from certain persons and quarters that it will be “do or die”;
6. We urge INEC to abate any crises as may be occasioned by the threat and not to serve as an instrument of fermenting troubles in Enugu State to the extent that the mischievous persons/quarters shall take advantage of the delay in declaring the winner of the gubernatorial election in Enugu State to cause mayhem and bloodshed in the State:
7. It is within the public domain that virtually all the states in Nigeria were such elections were conducted, INEC has declared the winners, why the delay in that of Enugu State?
8. We urge INEC to declare the result and announce the winner. Any party that feels aggrieved or not satisfied shall follow the due process of addressing such as provided by the Electoral Act- that is, through the Tribunal or court. INEC should not give opportunity for self-help by anyone as a result of the consequences of the delay in announcing the winner;
9. We urge all interest groups and persons who are masterminding the delay to withdraw from continuing such for peace to reign in Enugu State:
And 10. We thank INEC, the parties and the electorates for the peaceful elections; and further commend everyone for waiting patiently for INEC to declare the winner. Nobody should take the law into their hands or for self-help.
We shall continue to pray for peace, justice and progress in Enugu State even as INEC is strongly urged to declare the winner of the governorship election in Enugu State without further delay.
