Nigeria Decides: Archbishop Chukwuma warns INEC as Enugu records unprecedented turnout

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The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, against disenfranchising any voter.

The Church leader spoke to journalists at the Michael Okpara Square where he cast his vote after waiting for over four hours.

Skyblasttv reports that Enugu witnessed unprecedented voter turnout in the ongoing presidential and National Assembly election.

There are fears that the INEC staff may be unable to attend to the thousands of people at the different poll centres.

Residents complained that the process has been very slow, caused by malfunctioning of the BVAS machines and late arrival of officials.

Some of them told Skyblasttv that they were suspecting sabotage.

However, Archbishop Chukwuma warned the INEC every voter in the long queue must be allowed to cast their votes.

He said the commission should immediately extend the voting time.

“The turnout so far is impressive, more than before; it has taken about four hours for the machine to work, for me to vote.

“They said it was faulty, but thank God they repaired it.

“But the thing is that INEC has to do a lot to make sure that all the BVAS machines are working.

“Nigerians today defied Simon Ekpa’s threat, because there was that threat but Nigerians are tired, that’s why they are out in their numbers to take their destiny in their hands.

“However, we are not happy because in most places, materials are just arriving; there is a delay in logistics; the logistics have not been very much perfected by INEC.

READ ALSO: Gov. Bello votes in Kogi, attributes smooth conduct of polls to Electoral Act

“INEC should do more to improve their logistics in delivery of materials to the right places.

“Now people are all over the place; if they stop it without everyone voting, we shall not accept it; anybody who came here before 2:30 must vote; no INEC would close down voting, that is why we are still here and we are sitting down to wait until everyone votes and the votes count.”

While warning against rigging the election, he cautioned that if the voters’ choice was not respected, there would be trouble in the country.

He said the citizens defied the hardship in the country by trooping out in their numbers, noting that it was a clear signal that “enough is enough”.

“I want to warn that the voters’ mandate must be respected; if not, this country will be on fire,” he cautioned.

He also condemned President Muhammadu Buhari for displaying his ballot paper after casting his vote, describing it as un-presidential.

“We are not happy that when we voted, he had to show his ballot paper to the whole world to know who he voted for; it was unfortunate,” he said.

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