GOMBE – The Anglican Communion, Gombe Diocese, has urged the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently address the issues of stolen and unreleased voter cards ahead of the 2015 general elections.
This is contained in a 16-point communique issued after the third session of the fifth Synod of the Diocese in Gombe on Tuesday.
The communique, signed by the Bishop of the church, Rt. Rev. Henry Ndukuba, said failure to address the issue would result to unjust disenfranchisement of the electorate.
The synod also called on INEC to relocate all polling units that were located in places of worship or people’s homes, to give credibility to the elections.
The participants also called on all stakeholders to shun provocative acts and violence during the electioneering period as well as urged youths not to be used as political thugs.
Making further suggestions on the election, the synod called on INEC to set up modalities where internally displaced persons could exercise their franchise in any part of the country.
The communique called on Nigerians of voting age to register and vote during the elections.
The participants, who commended the efforts of the military and other security agents in the insurgency, however, called on the political leadership and the military to intensify efforts to stop the insurgency.
“It further calls on the Federal Government to set up special agency for border patrol and control.
“It condemns in unequivocal terms the recent moves to set up cattle ranches throughout the country, and the undue monetary allocation of one billion naira for states to access, as implementing this will further escalate crises between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.
“It further advises farmers to harvest their crops in due time to avoid clash between them and the herdsmen.”
The communiqu also commended the government’s handling of the outbreak of Ebola virus, urging governments at all levels to sustain the efforts in that direction.
On the report of the National Conference, the synod advised President Goodluck Jonathan to subject the decisions and submissions to a referendum by the citizens.
It enjoined leaders and followers to desire righteousness for the country to move forward in all spheres of life. (NAN)
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