News
Stop Running To Pastors, Imams For Endorsements -Kukah
The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah, says politicians should not be seeking the endorsements of religious leaders during elections but rather engage the people they intend to serve and sell their objectives to them to make the decision.
He also said the people of Edo State conducted themselves very well in the September 19, 2020, governorship election, adding that they left a legacy of electoral efficiency for the country.
Kukah said the people of Ondo State should take a cue from the Edo situation and seek to do better in the forthcoming October 10, 2020 election by ensuring their votes counted in a violent-free process.
The cleric spoke, yesterday morning while featuring on Channels Television’s programme, Sunrise Daily.
Kukah, who is a member of the National Peace Committee, also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and civil society groups for their roles in the Edo State governorship election.
He said, “Our commendation also goes to the people of Edo State. I have received quite a lot of messages from old friends that I haven’t spoken to in a long time, commending the work of the National Peace Committee but really this is not an honour that one individual should take.
“It is the people of Edo State, the way they conducted themselves and I think in every sense of the word, they left us a legacy of efficiency.
“It is incumbent on the people of Ondo to now ask themselves, why can we not do better than the people in Edo State?”
Speaking on the decline in the percentage of votes witnessed in Edo State in the last couple of years, Kukah said, “Rather than politicians running around Pastors and Imams seeking endorsements, they should be out there engaging the people and encouraging people to go out and vote.
“I think that the churches and civil societies have also done very well in terms of mobilising people but this is something that must continue as a process of engagement, not something that happens in the month of election because people need to be sufficiently convinced about the power of their votes and how significant and how important it is.
“Part of the problems is that the ordinary people go out to vote, the politicians give appointments to their friends, who they import, either from other states or from abroad, I am not saying people who are in the Diaspora cannot govern but there is almost something dysfunctional about political rewards after elections.”
He added, “When last did you see a politician across Europe which we are trying to imitate go and bow to the queen or king or seek blessings from a bishop. We have too many intervening variables that are confusing the narrative.
“We are really not practicing the principles of democracy and it lies in the fact that only those who have money can hope to be voted into power.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated all the winners of Saturday, August 16, by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.
A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.
Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.
President Tinubu congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.
He also congratulated the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.
“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.
“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he said.
President Tinubu commended all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoined them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.
The Rivers State Government has disclosed its plan to establish the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, which will take over the responsibilities of the Central Working Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Flood Management and Control.
The State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), revealed this during a sensitisation campaign of the Central Working Committee on Flood Management and Control at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He explained that the government is engaging the Federal Government and international partners to mobilise resources for improved flood management systems, covering pre-flood measures, interventions during flooding, and post-flood recovery projects, as well as early warning infrastructure.
Ibas, in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, last Friday, said the initiative forms part of the state’s proactive strategy to mitigate flooding through awareness, prevention, preparedness, and community participation.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Administrator urged the committee to go beyond responding to disasters and instead anticipate vulnerable areas, reduce the impact of flooding, and equip residents with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves.
He added that the State is enforcing environmental laws to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal, illegal dumping, and construction on flood plains, which worsen flooding incidents.
According to him, effective flood management requires collaboration between the public sector, local communities, civil society, and the private sector, as government alone cannot tackle the challenge.
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