By Milcah Tanimu
Apostle Emmanuel Egoh Bako, Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Kaduna State and Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), expressed that citizens are still awaiting the opportunity to vote in the October 19, 2024, local government elections.
Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna, Bako highlighted the enthusiasm of voters on election day. “On Saturday, October 19, citizens from all parts of the state came out excited to exercise their civic rights. This was a vital opportunity to choose leaders for local governance,” he stated.
He attributed the significant interest in the elections to the role of local councils as the first point of contact for community issues. However, Bako lamented the denial of voting rights, stating that it undermines democracy itself. “Denying citizens their franchise is akin to spilling blood in the democratic system,” he remarked.
Bako called for immediate corrective actions regarding the declaration of winners without a proper voting process. He stressed that, according to global best practices, election results should only be announced after voting has occurred. He urged the chairperson of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) to ensure that citizens can exercise their right to vote.
He concluded, “It is essential for Nigerians to demonstrate that leadership is a noble calling, and the election process must be credible for both acceptability and integrity. Overall, we are still waiting, and we are ready to vote.”
