2015: Nigeria’s Year Of Political Reckoning, Says Cardinal Okogie

Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi OkogieFormer Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, on Wednesday said the year 2015 was an important year for Nigeria politically, economically and morally.

This is contained in a statement signed by Okogie and made available to the press, he said that the political importance of 2015 to the country needs strong and sober reflection from all and sundry to ensure peaceful and successful general elections.

“The political importance of 2015 to our dear nation needs strong and sober reflection from all and sundry.

“How democratic we are is yet to be seen in most of our words and actions as recent events in our democratic process that leads to the general election slated for next year has left little to be desired”.

According to him, a normal democratic process for any major election should be the elections of party members from the primaries who will become candidates and flag bearers of each party for the general election.

He said that the common practice in Nigeria today was contrary to the normal norm, as candidates are being imposed as ‘sole candidates’ in the name of consensus candidates.

“The normal democratic process for any major election we believe should be the elections of party members from the primaries who will become candidates and flag bearers of each party for the general election.

“On the contrary, what we have today is not an election but a selection and imposition of ‘sole candidates’ in the name of ‘consensus candidates.

“This is neither an elective nor credible process slated for election, it is to say the least, undemocratic and unacceptable”, the statement read in part.

The Bishop appealed to all our politicians, INEC, Nigerians and other stake­holders to ensure that due democratic process was practically followed for the enthronement of true democracy in the country.

“We must remember that Nigeria is for us all and we pray that the good Lord will lead us to establish a just, peaceful and God-fearing nation, come 2015”, he said. (NAN)

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