SACK FRAUDULENT ELECTORAL OFFICERS, OSHIOMHOLE APPEALS TO JONATHAN

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday called on Nigerians to demand that President Goodluck Jonathan keep to his promise of ensuring that all votes count in the next general elections by relieving electoral officers, who presided over fraudulent elections in the past, of their duties.

The governor, who was special guest of honour at the 2010 Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) plenary session in Benin-City with the theme: Corruption: The bane of Nigerian Society, also said corruption of the electoral process 'is the heart of corruption in Nigeria.'

While commending the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Oshiomhole reiterated that 'we must demand that President Jonathan keep to his promise beyond rhetorics and return power to the people.'

According to him, 'it is not morally correct for President Jonathan, a potential candidate in the 2011 elections to determine who will be umpire.'

The governor noted that the choice of the topic for the plenary session of CAN, Corruption: The bane of the Nigerian Society was very timely, saying that even as the nation celebrates 50 years of independence, the people are getting poorer.

'We are getting poorer everyday but our volume of oil exports are increasing at prices much higher per barrel. The problem is the level of corruption in our society,' he said, adding that, 'the heart of the matter is corruption which is a reflection of the general society and the electoral process.'

The electoral process has been so corrupt that Nigerians are now distant spectators and few people are presiding over their affairs.

The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Edo State branch, Rt. Rev. Peter Imasuen, said democracy remains a government of the people, by the people and for the people and the leaders are the servants of the people because the power of the ballot box belongs to the people.

'This is why the church is solidly behind the clarion call for 'one man one vote' in all future elections in Nigeria.

There is no doubt stating that the theme of this year's plenary session, Corruption- Bane of the Nigerian Society was appropriate and timely. 'Elections are at hand, prayers and efforts to ensure a free and fair election cannot be overstressed,' he added.

A paper on the theme of the session, was delivered by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Solomon Asemota Esq.