Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife-led Igbo Elders Consultative Forum in conjunction with the Ark Bearers of New Nigeria, has urged for intensive intercessory prayers for the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections in the country especially, in the South-East.
This, according to a statement by the forum, has become imperative if the forthcoming general election will yield the desired results that would take Nigeria out of the woods.
The statement jointly signed by Ezeife; and Leader of Ark Bearers of New Nigeria, Evangelist Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor, called on Nigerians to take the forthcoming elections seriously and earnestly pray for its success.
The forum in the statement entitled: “Emergence of a New Nigeria Through Effectual Intercession,” declared that “Nigeria as an entity housing a significant population of true worshipers of God, the grace of the Almighty will ever be present to overshadow the entire process of the forthcoming general election followed by a smooth transition to new administrations at all levels.”
It also declared that “though certain notorious elements of disorder or wicked agents of destabilisation and habitual enemies of peace and progress masquerading as ethnic and religious bigots would likely choose to foment crisis, the overpowering ever presence and influence of the Spirit Divine shall supernaturally contain and neutralise their excesses to their own chagrin.”
The forum prayed that the quality and general conduct of the elections shall reflect an exceptional general improvement, and thereby post an unusual credibility record that would consequently revolutionise the future electioneering processes within the country and across the African continent.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part: “We declare that all shades of usual electoral impunity, manipulations and diverse malpractices shall this time around not prosper against the perfect will of God and the popular will of the Nigerian masses.
“That no electoral violence or electorally-induced crimes shall be recorded in the course of the voting exercises nationwide.
“That the generality of the electorate shall be extra sensitively emboldened with resolute interest to act as watchdogs over the general operation of the electoral umpire, the INEC, to ensure that our votes shall collectively count.”
“That whereas the presence of law enforcement agents would, as usual be necessary, they are bound to perform above board with the necessary professional touch according to the tenets of global best practices without fear or favour.”
It also declared: “That an atmosphere of absolute freedom and tranquility shall prevail in the course of the voting exercises devoid of harassment, intimidation, threat and inducement of any sort enabling individual free-voting decisions; and that INEC shall provide a level playing ground for all parties.”
The statement further read: “That there shall be a distinct, clear-cut and profound electoral victory in each elective office by the very best candidate approved by God and graciously acceptable to the generality of Nigerians.
“That the would be victors in all the available electoral offices across board shall not only reflect the common will of the masses but shall be the right crop of the dream quality leaders who shall form the ideal governments that would maintain un-severed close connection with the led, feeling their pulse and lending their listening ears to the yearnings and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.”
Igbo Elders Consultative Forum reminded voters not to be ignorant of the implications of their choices as they go to the polls.
“We do not need to overemphasise the absolute fact that while one may out of his, her or their freewill as free moral agents, choose to negate any/all of the aforementioned declarations for parochial and selfish interests, one should verily take note that while he, she or as a party may seem to have his, her or their way temporarily; he, she or they can never avoid the awful judgmental consequences here, and hereafter eternal misery.”
