By Godwin Utuedoye,
UGHELLI, Missionary Newspaper- Former Chief of Staff to the Delta State government and chairman, Editorial Board of the Guardian Newspapers, Prof. Godin Darah has said that it is very impossible to conduct a free, fair and credible election in Nigeria as a result of corruption.
Professor Darah gave this remark while delivering a lecture at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ughelli during a conference on ‘Good Governance’ organized by the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, tagged ‘Good Governance and the Nigerian State.
The outspoken professor held that corruption has made it impossible to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the country owing to the wrong foundation laid by the British colonists.
According to him, “Corruption is so endemic in the system and if you are a truthful, honest person, you cannot secure any elective position”. He said, “The church should arise and defend its people and not by prayer alone saying; a country where the president is an emperor, corruption cannot be left out.
He advocated that “Section 44 sub section (3) of the constitution should be removed if we really want to rebuild as a country, he insisted.
Also, former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Alexander Ogomudia, a guest speaker said, “Politicians are killing because they want to serve their pockets, you cannot kill the people you want to serve.
“Elections in Nigeria tends to produce thugs who are used to changing of results by snatching of ballot boxes, and remaining unemployed, not compensated lead them to criminality in the society”.
In his address, the director of JDPC, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obadjere held that the church is very much ready to cooperate with the state in the issues of development, peace and elections that would be void of rigging and manipulation”.
The conference attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including the representative of the state governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.