Sustain commitment toward free, peaceful, credible election, group urges Buhari

The Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria on Tuesday urged President Buhari to sustain his commitment toward ensuring free, fair and credible 2019 general elections.
The body made the call in a communique at the end of the just concluded 64th General Assembly of the fellowship in Kwarhi, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.
The Fellowship is made up of 15 denominational Churches in the country.
The communiqué, signed by the TEKAN President, Rev. Caleb Solomon and Secretary, Rev. Moses Jatau, also urged INEC to remain impartial and transparent in the elections.
It said: “Mindful of the forthcoming general elections in the country and the challenges associated with them, the assembly calls on President Muhamadu Buhari to honour his commitment to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
“The assembly also urges INEC to remain impartial, transparent and ensure that the wishes of the people are respected in all the elections.
“The assembly demands that security agencies be professional in discharging their statutory duties and not to be partisan or seen to be partisan.”
The body also advised political parties, candidates and supporters on proper conduct that would ensure peaceful elections.
It called on youths to reject being used, in any form, to foment violence and tasked relevant authorities on the need to contain vote selling and buying.
It said: “The assembly also calls on all Christians and all well-meaning Nigerians to be more committed to prayers for the forthcoming general elections and peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and region.
“Consequently, the assembly has declared Jan.30 for fasting and prayer for the nation, by all its members.”
On security, the assembly lauded the effort of government in reducing the activities of insurgents in North-East and called for more effort to stop the persistent activities of the terrorists.
It also praised government in curtailing activities of other criminals involved in killings and kidnappings in other states like Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Zamfara.
TEKAN, however, raised concern over threat to the environment and called for more tree planting by members and Nigerians in general.