Ademowo tasks INEC, police on fair elections

The Anglican Diocesan Bishop of
Lagos, Adebola Ademowo, has
called on the Independent National
Electoral Commission and the
police to take decisive actions to
forestall rigging and electoral
violence in the 2015 general
elections.
Ademowo, in his New Year
message, expressed concern over
hardship and insecurity in the
country, saying the recent fall in
the global oil price “is a big blow
that is already creating economic
imbalance and austerity for the
people.”
“The Independent National
Electoral Commission should be
truly independent and non-
partisan and be well funded to
conduct a free and fair election as
we have in other parts of the world.
It is necessary to call on the
security agencies to ensure that
the lives and properties of
Nigerians are well protected.
Security agents should not collude
with politicians to shortchange
Nigerians. People’s votes must be
well protected,” he said.
The cleric also called on the Federal
Government to ensure that the
electoral laws and rules were
followed and enforced.
He added, “Our government and
the economic planning and
coordinating group must work hard
and come out with concrete
solution to avert the painful effects
and the hardship the austerity
created by the global drop in oil
price might have on Nigerians.
“The economic situation in Nigeria
still calls for a better approach, as
the economic indices of health, job
creation/employment and
industrial growth are still very low.
Poor power supply remains
epileptic, bad roads, youth
unemployment are calling for
urgent attention.”
The bishop argued that if the
nation’s security agencies were
well equipped, they would be able
to contain the insurgents.
He advised the Federal Government
to remain resolute in its efforts at
containing insurgency, saying he
was confident that God would
intervene to end the security
challenges ravaging the country.
He added, “There is need for
caution on the part of our leaders
and the led. This caution is urgent
and paramount. A nation where
people are becoming less sensitive
to God in pursuit of power and
popularity at all costs is a signal to
danger.
“Every Nigerian at home and in the
Diaspora must be practically
committed to the smooth
transition of power to another
democratically elected
government at all levels. Nigerians
must be more tolerant, considerate
in our speeches and actions. Let us
promote love and unity, despite
our diverse culture and religion.”