Cleric Urges Nigerians To Exercise Franchise

The Prelate, Methodist
Church of Nigeria, Most Rev Samuel Uche, has urged Nigerians to freely exercise their franchise during Saturday’s gubernatorial and state assembly polls across the nation.
Uche spoke in an interview with newsmen on yesterday in Lagos, urging the federal government to also provide an enabling environment for free and credible polls.
“The people should go out en masse and cast their votes, but it is the duty of government to create an enabling environment for the people.
“During the presidential elections, many registered voters did not come out to vote; in fact, I feel most Nigerians were scared, with the overheating of the polity, he said.
The clergyman said that many Nigerians were afraid of any sudden eruption of crisis during the polls.
“I live in Lagos Island; if I hear any gunshot, I will not come out from my house, and I will discourage every voter that I know from voting.
“But if there is peace, I will encourage everyone to come out and vote. During the presidential elections, I trekked a few kilometers to vote,” he said.
Uche urged the federal government to ensure that the families of those that lost their lives during the elections were adequately compensated.
“Let the vote of the people count; there should be no manipulation of figures. It is only four years, people should not die because of election,” he said
The prelate said that those vying for political offices should have verifiable and credible means of livelihood.
“Governorship and legislative positions should be made less attractive; they should be on part time basis. A jobless man should not qualify to take such positions,” he said.
According to Uche, making political positions less attractive through reduced emoluments would save more money for the country.
He said that such savings could be used to provide meaningful engagements for the teeming population of unemployed youths.