By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
Following the controversies trailing the just concluded presidential election in Nigeria, a call has gone to President Muhammadu Buhari to remove the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Coḿmission, INEC, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, with immediate effect to save the country from possible break-up.
Spiritual Director of the Canaanland Adoration Counselling Centre, the Rev. Fr. Dr Magnus Ebere, who made the call on Sunday while preaching at the Cananland Adoration Counselling Centre said that the way and manner Prof Yakubu handled the presidential election may “likely disrupt the existing fragile peace in the country and if not properly handled may lead to the emergence or springing up of many nations.”
Dr Ebere said, “I foresee many nations emerging from this country if things continue the way they are going on now. The best thing to do is to remove the INEC Chairman Yakubu, cancel the Presidential election and conduct a fresh one with another person to supervise it.”
The Catholic Priest who is popularly known as Fr E-Dey Work appealed to Nigerians, particularly the youths, who trooped out en mass to exercise their franchise, not to be discouraged at what happened as the outcome of the voting exercise last two Saturdays saying, “things will surely work out for the good of the people and nation.”
He advised Nigerians who want a better country to ensure that they come out and vote massively for the candidates of their choice who will help in producing a better Nigeria.
Fr Ebere said that it is not over until it is over and appealed for calm.
The Catholic Priest reminded Nigerians that President Mohamadu Buhari promised that he will give the nation the most peaceful, internationally accepted elections this year and urged them – Nigerians to wait for the President to fulfil his promises.
Fr Ebere remarked that what happened during the presidential and National Assembly elections, a fortnight ago fell short of national and international expectations, insisting it was a “charade and shamefully disappointing experience of an exercise.”
According to him, “this is the first time in the history of elections in Nigeria where results were announced and everywhere seemed to be a graveyard even the birds of the air, trees, animals and human beings went cold as if they were all mourning.”
