By Magnus Aluma, Abakaliki
Bishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Abakaliki, Rt. Rev. Lawson Elom has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the alleged manipulation of the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly election results.
Bishop Elom made this known while addressing the clergy and stakeholders of Ebonyi State, at the 29th annual synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Abakaliki, held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital.
He condemned the outcome of the recently concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria, adding that the declaration of Bola Tinubu as president-elect by INEC, fell short of the expectations of many Nigerians.
Bishop Elom said the Electoral Commission failed in it’s responsibility to conduct a credible and transparent elections, after coming up with electoral guidelines which assured Nigerians that their votes will count.
“INEC earlier came up with gadgets like the BVAS that would have ensured a free and fair election, but later did manual recording, leading to falsification of results. It was clear to Nigerians that through the manipulations by the electoral umpire, results were pronounced against the wishes of the people,” he said.
He added: “Nigerians and international observers confirmed that this election, especially the Presidential and National Assembly elections were adjudged to have failed to meet any standard of credibility or fairness. It was adjudged both locally and internationally to be the worst election, since Nigeria started the Democratic process. Indeed, it was a disappointment to the whole world.”
He also frowned at the naira swap policy of the Federal Government, which according to him, exposed Nigerians to untold hardships. The Methodist Bishop faulted the Federal Government on the enthronement of the cashless economy, without considering the plight of Nigerians.
He therefore tasked the incoming government at all levels, to focus more on welfare of citizens, by declaring a state of emergency on poverty alleviation. Bishop Elom further called on the incoming administration in Ebonyi State, to focus on resolving issues that result in communal clashes in different parts of the state.