… AS OSITELU LAUDS INEC CHAIRMAN, FASHOLA

By NBF News

The National Vice President of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and Primate The Church of the Lord (Aladura) Worldwide. Dr. Rufus Okikiola Ositelu has congratulated Professor Atahirru Jega, President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on the outcome of the just-concluded general elections.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the provincial conference of the Nigeria Arch Province, The Primate said, so far, INEC had done well and should use the election as a parameter to correct all perceived anomalies detected in the course of the electoral exercise. 'INEC under Jega has proved that Nigerians are capable of doing things right and at the right time, especially if the platform is truly independent. I hope INEC would use these elections as parameter to correct all perceived irregularities in the subsequent elections,' he said.

He also congratulated Jonathan and advised him to improve on the various institutions across the country.

'What we have now are not credible enough. He should try to intensify on the viability of these Institutions like he did to INEC. He should as well focus on infrastructures, energy among others. May God help him to succeed.'

On General Mohammed Buhari's decision to challenge the result of the poll, the Primate said, he (Buhari) had the constitutional right to go to court, but cautioned that Nigerians should have learnt how to concede defeat in a keen contest conducted on a credible and fair platform.

'General Buhari has the prerogative to seek redress at a court of competent jurisdiction but by now I believe, we should have learnt how to concede defeat in a keen contest that produced the most popular candidate and on a credible platform. I salute Buhari's courage all this while though, but Vox dei,Vox populi: the people have spoken and God has enthroned. Above all, we have a duty to protect and sustain our nascent democracy. At any rate, the Court's verdict would settle the dusts.'

The Ogere-born cleric also congratulated the re-elected Governor of Lagos and the governor-elect of Ogun State.