Movement urges politicians to believe in Nigeria’s democracy, judicial system

Thu, May 11, 2023

3 MIN READ

GENERAL

The Students Christian Movement (SCM) of Nigeria has urged Nigerians, especially politicians to believe in democracy as it remains the catalyst for rapid development of the country.
Its National President, Mrs Ebere Ubesie, made the plea on Thursday in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary, Mr Dare Ajongbo in Ibadan.
Ubesie thanked God for keeping the country united against certain doomsday predictions and projections.
She said: “Nigeria remained united and undivided after the elections.
“Nigeria should not give up on democracy despite the lingering teething challenges.
“The movement has faith in Nigerian judicial system and believes that all aggrieved persons and parties looking for justice will find it there.

“Nigerians must not for any reason take laws into their hands. Let the Nigerian Constitution be the leading light in the resolution of all disputes and contentions coming out of these elections.”
The president said the association was happy about the massive involvement of youths in the 2023 elections.
“SCM is glad at this new fervency of young people in the politics and governance of the country,” Ubesie said.
She said that never a time in recent Nigerian history did Christians got interested and involved in political party politics and electoral process like in 2023 general elections.
“The earliest dividends of this were seen in the governors-elect at Akwa Ibom, a Pastor; at Benue, a Reverend Father and Plateau, a renowned Christian leader.”
Ubesie called on Christians and leaders to keep praying for those elected and find ways to keep those in elected offices in check, so as not to derail from faith.
She called for caution in utterances by some political leaders in order not to cause division in the country through religion and ethnic biases.
The movement leader, also expressed joy over women’s participation in the election, saying it was “a calling breaking one”.
“In Adamawa, a woman nearly won the governorship race. SCM is happy that the just concluded election produced Deputy Governors in six states of Kaduna, Plateau, Ogun, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Rivers.
“With 17 Senators and 48 House of Representatives members, women in Nigeria have made a significant leap in governance of the country.
“SCM is of the hope that the momentum in this participation will increase,” she said.
Ubesie urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to improve in its activities, saying the last election fell short of expectations of many Nigerians.
“The BVAS malfunctioning should not have been explained away simplistically as a mere technical problem when the Chairman of INEC gave Nigerians and the international community the assurance that BVAS will function well.
“The transparency of the body came under a huge cloud of doubt because of this; SCM feels strongly that electoral reforms should be an ongoing affair in Nigeria,” she said. (NAN)
T.S