Adamawa guber poll: CAN chairman sues for peace, enjoins citizens to remain calm

BY TOM GARBA

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has called on the citizens of Adamawa State to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, following the outcome of the March 18th governorship elections.

Chairman of the Association, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Yola, Bishop Stephen Mamza, made the call during a press conference in his office on Sunday.

Recall that the March 18th governorship election result was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, which means that a supplementary election will be held in the state. While citizens await a date for the supplementary election, the CAN chairman called on INEC to ensure that the election is conducted in a free, fair and transparent atmosphere.

“Thus, while we are concerned about some of the irregularities noticed in the collation and tabulation of results during the March 18 polls in the state, let us not forget that both INEC, the electorates, members of the diplomatic community, local, and national and international observers, law enforcement agencies and the media, are all stakeholders in whatever it takes to have good, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

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“No one should, therefore, infringe on the independence of INEC, as this will pose a risk to public safety. We, therefore, call on all to remain calm and to renew their confidence in INEC’s independence and professionalism for openness, transparency, and fairness in handling the votes of the electorates as we set to go for a re-run.

“We are also calling with a strong voice on both the law enforcement agencies and the media not to allow institutional pressure and interference to affect them as they try to give unbiased and extensive security coverage of the process of voting, collation, and tabulation of results,” he said.

The clergy also appealed to politicians to keep all political activity sane and exhibit civility, so as to enable an atmosphere of tolerance and respect to flourish in the state. “We equally call on all citizens, especially community and religious leaders and the youth to continue to be law-abiding.”