Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to handle the issue of its Head of Collation Center, Amina Zakari with caution.
South East Vice President of PFN, Cosmas Ilechukwu said INEC should do the needful not just in the case of Zakari but always to ensure the neutrality of the Commission.
Ilechukwu made the appeal at a press conference in Owerri, Imo State after a three-day National Action/Pastoral Committee of the Charismatic Renewal Movement, CRM.
He said ahead of the forthcoming elections, both INEC and security agencies should “not only discharge their duties honourably, but also resist every temptation to compromise.”
According to Ilechukwu, “INEC should maintain the position of an unbiased umpire. This is why the outcry against the position given to one of it’s top officials, Amina Zakari, who is said to be related to President Muhammadu Buhari, also a candidate in the election, should be handled with every sense of responsibility.
“INEC should do the needful, not just in her case but at all times, to safeguard the integrity of this election. If they maintain their neutrality, the outcome of the election will reflect the true wishes of the electorate and guarantee post-election peace.”
The PFN zonal Vice President also condemned what he called “war against the press and fundamental human rights.”
“This is evidenced in the recent closure of a national daily newspapers in Abuja, Maiduguri and Lagos, by the Nigerian Army and the siege on Senator Dino Melaye’s residence, by the Police,” Ilechukwu said.
He cautioned government agencies to “avoid unnecessary use of force, but to always follow due process in the discharge of their duties, so as not to be seen as trampling on the fundamental human rights of citizens and residents.”
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