As preparations for the 2023 general elections gather momentum, the founder of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI), Bishop Emmah Isong, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against tampering with the credibility of the polls.
Isong, who is also the spokesperson of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN), gave the warning in Calabar yesterday at an annual public lecture to mark his birthday.
He said there would be revolution should INEC make any attempt to compromise the sanctity of the ballot.
“My warning to INEC is not to change the goalpost because it would engender revolution. You will not like the revolution, I think you will like the election.
“So let’s go for election and avoid revolution by not offending Nigerian populace by changing the goal post. It will anger people and EndSARS was the smallest thing we’ve ever seen in this country.
“Let’s please never try to change the goalpost. The people are already suspicious. They’ve been pushed to the wall and they are very angry,” the Bishop said.
Isong urged Nigerians to eschew tribal and religious sentiments and work towards securing a better country,
He also blamed Nigerians for being partly responsible for the poor level of governance currently witnessed in the country.
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He said, “From the summarised lecture today, we should drop tribal nomenclatures and religion, and look for a candidate in 2023 that will bring us out of this nonsense and mess. I think that’s a very important message.
“Hebrews 11:16 says they desire a better nation. I’m sure the journalists and all the media persons here desire a better nation. You saw students whose futures are being toyed with. You saw widows who have no hope.
“Financially and security wise, even in the backdrop of corruption, we are below average as a nation. So we desire a better country. Our politicians should stop lying to us and playing with our intelligence.
“On the other hand, I blame Nigerian voters because the politicians are just 5 percent of the population. They are not the movers and shakers of the polity. We are the movers and shakers with our PVCs.
“I think we should cash in on the new electoral law of 2022 and see what we can do for ourselves and stop blaming the politicians. We can pull ourselves out of this dungeon. Yes, we can.”
On his achievements in life as he marks his birthday, the outspoken man of God said, “I’ve filled the gap and reduced social pressure by reaching out to people around me and looking beyond my shoulders. That gives me more joy than assets or buildings that means nothing to me,” he said
