The group is calling on the public to stay back and protect their votes
The Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), a social development arm of the Catholic Church, again took to the streets over the weekend to sensitise the public on the importance of participating in the coming general elections.
The group had a similar rally less than two months ago in three cities across the country, to encourage the public to also raise the awareness amongst the public. Chanting slogans like ‘One man, One vote’, the rally, organised by the Ikeja Deanery of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, took the participants to streets within Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, the council headquarters, and the palace of the Oba of Ewu Land.
Protecting the votes
Emmanuel Fadele, the Executive Director of the group, said the rally was “not just to sensitise the people on the need to come out and vote at next year’s general elections, but to also protect their mandate.” “We must also stay back to ensure that our votes are counted,” he said. “We should come with all the means by which we can record the proceedings, the good and the bad things; the electoral law allows voters to go back to the polling station to observe the counting of the ballot paper.” He also suggested that May 29 ‘Handover’ date should be shifted backwards to give “aggrieved contestants” enough time to “seek justice in court after elections.”
Similarly, Rosemary Onyeukwu, the Coordinator, St. Agnes Catholic Church Chapter of JDPC, said credible elections were basic to solving the problem of unaccountability in governance. She said the next general elections would afford the public the opportunity to correct the problem of mismanagement of the country’s resources. “In spite of the resources we have in this country, a lot of people still wallow in poverty,” she said. “People should have the courage to come out and say ‘no’ to injustice and come out to say ‘no’ if they are being robbed of their votes.”
A necessary campaign
While receiving the procession in his palace, Shakirudeen Kuti, the Oba of Ewu Land, described ‘One man, one vote’ as the solution to election “manipulations” and post-election litigations. “It’s important to educate the community; with one man, one vote, and there will be no rigging, there will be no manipulations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lagos residents have described such sensitisation rallies as necessary ahead of the coming general elections. Chinaka Chika, a resident, expressed confidence in the next general elections. “The country has suffered for too long because it’s the same old cargo that have been ruling us for 50 years,” he said. “We need to come out and vote for young ones; we need leaders who will use our money to do good things.”
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