The importance of 2023 general elections cannot be overemphasised. This is because politics can only thrive in a safe and secure environment and not the other way round. The lifting of ban on campaign by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and also the signing of the peace accord by the presidential candidates of the political parties ideally was to forestall violent and criminal acts in the course of campaigns, given the high stake of next years’ elections. The Nigerian political class during election period, freely abuse each other and often times fail to address the main issues why they are seeking the people’s votes. This has remained the trend, and unfortunately, the society due to poverty is falling for it, prompting some of these so called professional politicians to think that they have complete control over the people. That being said, the hardship in the country, arising from the collapse of the economy owing to the crash of the naira in the autonomous market and insecurity that has become a major challenge, surprisingly has woken the citizens from their slumber and have also made them conscious and more sensitive to issues of politics.
They may not fall easily for the politicians’ scheming this time, as they (politicians) may likely not keep to the pact they signed recently, unfortunately. Already, condemnations have continued to trail the statement made by one of the presidential candidates whose utterances against the Southern part of the country was considered divisive and offensive to the sensibilities of the Nigerian people, especially when the candidates signed the peace accord, as they pledged to work within the letters and spirits of the peace agreement. The sentiments of ethnicity and religion which were used as weapons to hoodwink the people in the past by politicians is difficult for the masses to stomach in the current situation the country has found itself. The citizens are aware that the country is collapsing and needs redemption if we are to forge ahead as a nation. People are no longer ready to queue behind those who are visionless and on a vendetta mission. Nigerians need a president that would break away from the old order and address the yearnings of the people, politically and economically. We recall that former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan after he lost in the 2015 elections, declared that, “My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian”.
This is the kind of statement Nigerian politicians should be making at a time like this when the country is preparing for yet another election. The deep division noticeable everywhere in the country should not be stretched any further because politics on its own cannot be without a country. From what we have seen, next year’s election will be different from other elections for the mere fact that three candidates are front runners out of the eighteen political parties vying for the highest position in the land. The political atmosphere is already charged and Nigerians may not be interested in those politicians whose stock in trade is deceit that has kept the country where it is at present. The partial disruption of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) campaign rally in Kaduna by hired street urchins and the clash between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition party, PDP, should be condemned by well-meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy. We call on the initiators of the Peace Accord Commission to keep an eye on the activities of the politicians this time, at least to ensure that they are held accountable for the breach of the law before, during and after election.
Political parties should be allowed by the state governors to hold their political campaigns and rallies without any inhibition or molestation, so long as their conducts are within the confines of the laws of the land. We also call on the Nigeria police to rise to the occasion and refrain from being partisan at this crucial stage of our national life. INEC on its part should realize that the world is watching closely for the outcome of the election and how it would address and punish those who run foul of the electoral process in the days ahead, especially now that the campaigns have begun. Anything less than free, fair and credible polls may have watered the ground for unintended consequences. Nigerians are not interested in divisive tendencies, which were effectively used by mindless politicians to deceive the masses in the name of politics. There is need for vigilance on the part of the citizens to stop the common enemies of the society this time! …On the Mission Sunday As we celebrate this year’s Mission Sunday, let us be reminded that October is a special month in which the Catholic Church all over the world renews its commitment to the Missionary Movement for the evangelization of the world which our Lord Jesus commanded. Masses on this special day are celebrated essentially for missionary activities and for the missionaries whose vocations are threatened daily by the challenging times.
The lay faithful in all parishes are enjoined to participate actively on this special occasion set aside by the Mother Church to promote evengelisation. We enjoin all the lay faithful to pray for our missionaries all over the world. We are also encouraged to pray earnestly for the will of God to prevail in our individual lives and as a community of God’s people, as well as to rededicate our lives to the service of God. Through our prayers also, we ask God to bless the intensions of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Vicar of the Church. We wish everyone a happy Mission Sunday!
