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… Commends PFN for Initiating Conference
By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Preparatory to a peaceful Bayelsa State gubernatorial election on November 11, Revered First Class traditional ruler and chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, in Yenagoa Local Government Area has enjoined Christian faithful to be proactive and not reactive in their participation in the democratic process.
King Dakolo who is to deliver the keynote address at the forthcoming Bayelsa Peace Conference, made the remark when the chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Committee on Good Governance and Politics, Apostle Timiebi Kiyaramo, visited him in his office at the State Traditional Rulers Council in Yenagoa on Thursday to brief the monarch on activities lined up for the Peace conference, slated for November 6, 2023.
While commending Bayelsa State chapter of PFN for its wisdom to organize a peace conference as part of measures towards a peaceful gubernatorial election in the state on November 11, King Dakolo expressed satisfaction with the ongoing hitch free electioneering campaigns, just as he enjoined Christians to be proactive in their participation in the democratic process, rather than being reactive towards political outcomes.
The King noted that PFN and other Christian organisations within the larger Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) could do better to sensitise their members on the need to actively participate in the democratic process right from the selection of candidates such that they would be able to present credible candidates with good track records and not to wait until candidates have emerged from the political parties before reacting either in support or against.
“Christians should be involved in the democratic process of midwifing our political leaders right from the nomination period through to the finishing where candidates emerge from the various political parties. My advice is that you should not sit on the fence regarding political matters. If the church absents herself from politics, then it should also be ready to accept any outcomes, “King Dakolo said.
Earlier, chairman of PFN Committee on Good Governance and Politics, Apostle Timiebi Kiyaramo had briefed King Bubaraye Dakolo on the Bayelsa Peace Conference, saying it is an initiative of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapter as part of measures towards having a peaceful gubernatorial election on November 11, 2023.
Apostle Kiyaramo informed the king that the PFN Committee on Good Governance and Politics was mandated by the PFN leadership in the state to interface with all candidates of political parties to ensure that the ongoing electioneering campaigns were devoid of destruction of lives and properties leading a peaceful poll on November 11.
The clergyman applouded King Dakolo for his forthrightness in addressing issues that bother on Niger Delta region and the Ijaw ethnic nationality in particular in terms of socioeconomic development, especially when it comes to the issues of justice, equality, fairness and peaceful coexistence. He requested King Dakolo to deliver the Keynote address at the Bayelsa Peace Conference.
“As chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, you epitomise the customs and tradions of the Ijaw people who are known for their peaceful disposition, and being the head of the traditional institution in the state, we deemed it appropriate that you to present the keynote address at the Peace Conference which comes up on November 6, 2023 at the Greater Evangelism World Crusade Headquarters, Opolo, Yenagoa.
“PFN is calling for peace and unity in a bid to foster socioeconomic development of our communities and the society at large. While we remain non partisan, we have always insisted on a free and fair election that will allow a level playing field for all participants in the democratic process, such that the electorate would be able to freely exercise their franchise at the poll”, Apostle Kiyaramo reiterated.
It will be recalled that democratic process implies effective participation, equal voting, enlightening, understanding the issues involved, and control of the agenda as the criteria of the democratic process. It is the process of expressing primary political or inalienable rights through decision-making.
Democracy is essentially about choice, the choice of policies and personalities. Free elections enhance freedom of choice. None of the freedoms are secured without the rule of law and an independent judiciary.
The process assures that each member can think and act democratically. Fairness, respect of the rules, et cetera, are produced by equal consideration (intrinsic quality), implying that some rights are fundamental to human existence and should not be alienated by any person or institution.
Other members of the committee who accompanied the chairman were Rev. Ebinabo.T Alagoa, PFN vice senatorial chairman East, Rev. Million B. Donghagbeyidongha, PFN state auditor, Rev. Meni Agih, PFN treasurer and Rev. Dr. Tony Prefer, PFN admin. secretary.
