Sam Otti
The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Prof. Godfrey, Igwebuike Onah, has called on the Christian community to participate actively in the governorship and state Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday. He urged Catholics across Nsukka Diocese to consider coming out en masse and voting on Saturday as part of their Lenten observances.
Bishop Onah made this appeal in his homily during the celebration of Ash Wednesday at St. Theresa’s Cathedral Nsukka. In a Eucharistic celebration marking the beginning of the special Season of Lent, the bishop encouraged every adult to consider voting on Saturday’s gubernatorial and state House of Assembly’s elections as a sacrifice for the nation and contribution towards saving the country ravaged by corrupt leadership.
Addressing the congregation, Bishop Onah noted that apart from the usual Catholic tradition of coming out in large numbers every Friday for the Stations of the Cross, Catholics should also regard the election on Saturday as another spiritual exercise for the good of our nation.
He further explained the three key duties that characterise the Lenten Season namely: fasting, alms giving and prayer. He solicited for fervent prayers among Christians, especially for the nation.
According to him: “There will be two Stations of the Cross this week. The first is on Friday and the second is on Saturday, the day of the elections. The first day of the Stations of the Cross which is on Friday is for everybody during which we all are expected to come out and pray for our country Nigeria while the second Stations of the Cross on Saturday gives us an opportunity to match our prayer with useful practical steps. This second one is only for adults who have voter’s cards”
He further lamented the apathy of many people, who refused to register for the election in spite of efforts to issue permanent voters cards to eligible adults.
Commenting on the widespread allegations of electoral malpractice in the presidential and National Assembly elections, the bishop reminded the congregation that a government cannot claim to be fighting corruption if it condones corruption in the electoral process.
According to him, any government enthroned by a corrupt electoral process would lack the moral grounds for fighting corruption.
He pleaded with the people not to lose faith in democracy in the face of alleged irregularities that marred the last exercise.
The prelate urged Catholics not to be discouraged but to go out obediently and fulfil their obligation as citizens.