…Says The People’s Vote Must Count
As political parties prepare for the November 18, 2017 Anambra governorship election, leaders of the Christian Organization of Nigeria (CAN) and the Anambra Consensus Project (ACP) on Monday visited and offered prayers for the lead contender and candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Osita Chidoka.
The delegation from the two organizations also prayed God to vanquish all anti-people forces plotting to hijack the electoral process and ordain a hitch-free poll where only the votes of the people will ultimately count.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of CAN, Anambra state chapter, Senior Apostle Tim Okpala as well as ACP President, Dr. Emeka Eze said the delegation was in Chief Chidoka house to pray with him and encourage him ahead of the election.
Expatiating, Apostle Okpala said the two groups are non-government and non-partisan platforms committed to a credible, peaceful and hitch free election in Anambra state, adding that they will continue in prayers and advocacy to ensure that God’s will prevailed in the choice of the next governor of the state.
“We want a very hitch-free election devoid of violence, frictions and fetish activities. We will continue to commit the entire process into God’s hand so that His will prevails in the end”, he said.
In the same vein, the ACP President, Dr. Emeka said the organizations have set up structures in all the 326 electoral wards and 57 major markets across the state for continuous advocacy for credible, free and fair election.
“We want a very credible process where only the votes of the people will count. We no longer want a situation where a few persons decide the fate of the entire people. We are therefore working hard to ensure that the people come out to vote and that their votes count, so that they will have the opportunity of electing the governor of their choice”, he said.
The group also informed of its plans to conduct a public debate for the governorship candidates and their running mates to directly present their manifesto and capacity to deliver, adding that the debates will be scored.
The group later handed Chief Chidoka a Certificate of Congratulation among other important documents detailing their involvement in the electoral process.
Responding, Chief Chidoka, who stated that he has no godfather but the Almighty God and the people, noted that his guiding principle has been that of total surrender to the will of God and commitment to the ordinary people, whose mandate he now bears.
He thanked the delegation for their prayers and assured that he would not let the people down.
Recall that Chief Chidoka has received prayers from various Christian leaders including the Anglican Bishop of Niger West Diocese, Aguleri, Rt. Rev. Johnson Ekwe and the Methodist Bishop of Onitsha, Rt. Rev. Biereonwu Onuagha, who in separate church services in June, prayed for him while charging all those in the governorship race to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.
Also on Saturday August 26, 2017, traditional rulers from the entire South East region including royal fathers from across Anambra state, gathered and transferred the emblematic Ọfọr Igbo staff (the Igbo traditional symbol of power and authority), from Governor Willie Obiano to Chief Osita Chidoka ahead of the election.
