GKS charges INEC to resist manipulation

The Editor,

……………..

February 14, 2019

Press Release

GKS charges INEC to resist manipulation

The God’s Kingdom Society, (GKS), the Church of the living God, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to resist pressures to subvert the popular will warning that God Almighty and history would judge them on how they acquit themselves in conducting the 2019 general elections.

In a press release issued by the Church at her headquarters, Salem City, Warri, the GKS stated that as the body charged with the responsibility of administering elections in Nigeria, INEC should do her utmost to be non-partisan and that the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and his officers “must realise that they have the opportunity of a lifetime to write their names in gold…”, in that “A good name (with God Almighty) is rather to be chosen than great riches (of the world), and loving favour (from God) rather than silver and gold”, (Proverbs 22:1). Besides, “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” as stated in Romans 14:12.

The press release, signed by the publicity secretary of the Church, Brother Benedict Hart, regretted that “the shameless rigging and the widespread pervasion of the electoral process have been the bane of this nation right from independence” asserting that this “has prevented the development of a responsible political culture in the country, even as each administration faces a crisis of legitimacy while the nation teeters on the thresh hold of a systemic collapse”.

The Church stated: “Invariably, the high falutin and grand sounding promises made at the electioneering circuit and the high hopes of a new era of prosperity following the inauguration of a new administration, frequently turn to dust as things get steadily worse in Nigeria. Certainly, the nation cannot prosper if the rights of the ordinary citizens are continually violated by a few individuals whose main interest is to perpetuate themselves and their cronies in office, at any cost.”

Cautioning that “an individual should not be so powerful as to subvert the popular will in the running of the internal affairs of a party or be allowed to hijack its organs and those of the government for his selfish ends”,  the statement pointed out that since positions and preferments are by the grace of God, the elections should “be allowed to run smoothly and those who are allowed by God to rule through due and transparent processes should be supported to succeed” in that “one who is not in office today could be there tomorrow or serve the nation better in other capacities” as stated in Psalm 75:6, 7.

The security agencies, the Church went on, should exercise the fear of God in carrying out their assignment as “those who resort to violence will also suffer the same fate, now or later” in that everyone would reap what he has sown as stated in the Bible.

Appealing to Nigerians to “make a collective decision to play politics according to the rules of fair competition” the statement emphasized that “both the rulers and the ruled must learn that there can be no lasting progress among a people who are motivated by selfishness and greed, “who make gold their god”, who publicly acclaim those known to have simply come by wealth without asking questions.”

Besides, the GKS implored the electorate to vote for people who have the fear of God and who by their track record have shown that they have the welfare of the poor masses at heart, asserting that God will abundantly bless leaders who work to improve the living conditions of the poor as stated in Psalm 41:1-3 and  Proverbs 19:17 which says “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

 

Yours faithfully,

Benedict Hart,

Publicity Secretary, GKS,

Salem City,

Warri