Sokoto, 09 November, 2023 / 8:31 pm (ACI Africa).
The Catholic Bishop of Nigeria’s Sokoto Diocese has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a body that oversees elections in the west African country to work towards winning people’s trust as the country gears up for the November 11 off-cycle elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
The repeat gubernatorial polls were organized to make up for what was described as irregularities in the March 18 polls.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, November 8, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah said that the electoral body had left a lot to be desired in conducting the March 18 polls.
“INEC took the heat; it’s having a legitimacy crisis; it’s having a confidence and trust crisis. We must also understand that at least the sins of yesterday have to be cured so that tomorrow can be better,” Bishop Kukah said.
The Nigerian Catholic Bishop pointed out that “trust is essential in the conduct of elections, and institutions entrusted with this responsibility should function in a way that commands respect.”