The Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Kaduna State, and Vice chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Emmanuel Egoh Bako on Monday said the citizens of Kaduna State are still patiently waiting to cast their votes in the October 19, 2024 local government elections.
The cleric made the assertion while speaking to newsmen in Kaduna.
“On Saturday October 19, 2024, citizens from all parts of the state came out with excitement to exercise their civic rights. It was a golden opportunity to decide the men/women who will steer the ship of governance in the third tier of government in the state,” he said.
He added that the huge interest in the election was understandably due to the fact that it is the local councils are the first port of call for citizens in setting the agenda for their communities.
Bako, however, lamented that the voters were not allowed to vote, saying that denying citizens their franchise is akin to spilling the blood in the system of democracy.
He added that it is also similar to undoing the progress that the country has recorded after the return of the military to the barracks 25 years ago.
“I call for immediate redress of the circumstances that led to the declaration of winners without contest in the advertised LGA election slated for Saturday, 19th October, 2024,” he stated.
In global best practice, he said that the results of any election can only be announced after voting has taken place, stressing that it is why he is calling on the chairperson of the Kaduna State Independent
Electoral Commission, KADSIECOM, to give the citizens of the state the opportunity to exercise their franchise as the right must not be denied them.
According to him, it is important Nigerians demonstrate that leadership is a noble and high calling, pointing out that the process in which leaders emerge must be credible, not only for acceptability but also for the sake of eternity.
He stressed, “Overall, we are still waiting and we are ready to vote.”