Worried by alleged attempts by politicians to influence the judgment of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), the Diocese of Evo, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has called on Government and other stakeholders to allow the tribunal to independently deliver its judgment without interference.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued yesterday by the Diocese at the end of the second session on of its fifth synod held at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Oro-Igwe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.
In the communique, jointly signed by the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu and the Chancellor, Sir Nlerum Amadi, as well as the Clerical Synod Secretary, Rev. Can. Ebenezer Owhor, the Diocese of Evo expressed sadness that the last general elections in the country left much to be desired in terms of its conduct by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but said since the matter was before the PEPT, the tribunal should be allowed to do its work without interference.
”The Synod appeals to government and other stakeholders to allow members of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal absolute independence to hear petitions and deliver transparent and informed judgments based on the evidence before them and in accordance with the law,” it said.
It reaffirmed its faith in the Learned Justices at the Presidential Election Petitions Panel and in the fairness of the judiciary to dispense justice based on the evidences before them.
The Diocese also said, “the Synod notes the poor conduct of the last general elections, despite the humungous amounts given to INEC to deliver free, fair and credible elections;
“Notes with concern, the very damning reports from International Observers on the last Presidential election and strongly condemns the intimidation, harassment, physical violence and disenfranchisement of voters.”
It however appealed to Nigerians, whether winners or losers, to resist the urge to take laws into their hands, no matter the degree of provocation.
The Anglican Diocese also noted with regret, “the cases of blatant nepotism, ethnicism and flagrant bias in appointments into public offices in the past and called on the current administrations to heal the religious and ethnic divisions that previous regimes left behind”.
The Synod, with the theme, ”Jesus: Unique in All The World”, called on Christians and all Nigerians to ensure that their services are to God and humanity and they should see political appointments as an opportunity to serve and not to exploit others.
It also encouraged Christians to imitate Christ by having a lowly heart, denying themselves and making sacrifices for others by serving them in humility.
The church also expressed concern on the rising cases of social vices and condemned Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) while encouraging churches to partner with like-minded institutions and organisations to curb the menace.
It also condemned all forms of deviant sexual behaviour and called on churches to be in the vanguard for the preservation of Bible-Based family values.
It enjoined the Church to play a more active role in providing social services for society, adding that Churches should own and run schools, hospitals, farms, supermarkets, skill acquisition centres, and other areas of human endeavour where government augmentation will help improve the lives of the people.