Anambra decides: Nwokolo casts vote, calls for peace, transparency
The Bishop on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, Rev. Owen Nwokolo, has voted in the ongoing gubernatorial election in the state.
The bishop, who exercised his civic duty at the All Saints’ Primary School, Onitsha, at exactly 9:50 am, expressed joy for what he described as a peaceful atmosphere pervading the polling station.
In a brief interview with journalists shortly after he had cast his vote, Nwokolo said, “Election is a time for citizens to exercise their civic rights to choose their leaders.
“We thank God, in our country, every year, things seem to get better. If you look around, you can perceive the peaceful atmosphere of this environment. People are coming in and they are voting. And I have done my own, and it went smoothly.”
He appealed to political parties to endeavour to play within the ambit of the rules, reminding them not to be oblivious of the pact he said they reached to maintain peace before, during and after the election.
According to him, “The peace accord they signed means that after the election, they wouldn’t kill themselves.
“Because there must always be a winner. Somebody must win this election. And it must not be you. It can be anybody, whether you feel that you are the one to win. It is the people who will decide.
“They must see the exercise as a game; in a game, somebody must win. You mustn’t kill yourself; there’s always another opportunity for somebody to contest and win.
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“So, we ask all the contestants to keep cool and ensure that they do not cause trouble because we have had enough trouble in our society; we don’t want more.
“We strongly believe that, having stayed together and signed that peace accord, they will keep to the rules of the game”, emphasised.
A few days earlier, Bishop Nwokolo had called on Ndi Anambra to come out in large numbers to exercise their civic rights responsibly and ensure that their votes count.
He had in a two-page press statement he released in Onitsha emphasised what he called “the sacred duty of every citizen” to participate actively in the democratic process, stressing, “good governance begins with credible elections.”
He urged voters to “vote wisely and guard their votes in a peaceful manner,” warning against any form of electoral misconduct such as rigging, thuggery, and the buying or selling of votes.
According to him, such vices undermine the integrity of the ballot and endanger the future of the state.
“Elections must not be treated as warfare,” the Bishop declared.
“Our collective goal should be to enthrone a functional democracy that reflects the will of the people and promotes justice, peace, and development in our dear state.”
He also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a transparent and credible exercise that would stand the test of time.
Passionately, he advised candidates and their political parties to abide by the rules, avoid inflammatory language, and place the interest of the state above personal ambition.
“The destiny of Anambra is in our hands,” he said, pleading, “Let us vote with conscience and integrity, so that our state may continue to shine as the Light of the Nation.”
