The resolutions, made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, by Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for assenting to the New Electoral Bill.
“While it is not our responsibility as religious leaders to dictate to political parties the choices of their presidential, vice presidential and other candidates, we have the duty to advise the citizenry to bear in mind the implications of these choices while electing the next set of leaders.
Expressing concern on the prolonged strike , the Bishops urged both parties to adopt the fastest means of resolving the disagreements inorder to save the future of the young generation. “We believe that a resort to courts may not be the best and fastest way to solve the problem”.
The Clergies therefore advised parties in dispute to shift grounds to resolve the ongoing industrial action.
“Elections are fast approaching. We commend the National Assembly and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for enacting and signing into law the Electoral Bill 2022.
“We acknowledge the President’s commitment to ensuring a level playing ground for all candidates in the elections. Furthermore, we commend the INEC for its innovations, especially in the area of technology, to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
“We, therefore, renew our call on all our faithful, laity and clergy alike, to come out en masse to vote for people of unassailable integrity, who have the good character, capacity and track record to lead our nation out of the present socio-political and economic doldrums, irrespective of party, religious and ethnic affiliations”.the communique reads in part
Asking Buhari to up the ante against Insecurity, the Bishops decry the wosening cases of killings and kidnapping in Nigeria , saying it was sad that armed robbery and cybercrimes have also continued unabated.
“Attacks on travellers and worshippers in Churches and other places of worship have become too frequent. An instance is the recent mass shooting and bombing attacks on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, in which 41 worshippers were killed and 70 grievously injured.
“Regrettably, the government has not lived up to its duties with regard to security. We observe that even when suspects have been arrested, there was no even diligent prosecution of the culprits of these nefarious acts, thereby leaving the citizenry helpless and despairing”.