Reverend Father Maximus Muojeke of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Awka, has advised Nigerians to participate in the governorship and state assembly elections slated for Saturday, March 11.

The cleric gave the advice in his sermon at the church on Sunday in Awka.

Mr Moujeke said that the elections would provide an opportunity for Nigerians to vote their direct and closest representatives into government.

He advised eligible voters not to be deterred by the challenges faced during the February 25 elections, adding that March 11 polls remain critical.

“We saw that Nigerians came out in their numbers to vote during the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, but there were complaints about the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Due to the hitches encountered by voters, many Nigerians are demoralised and do not want to participate in the March 11 Governorship and State Assembly elections.

“I want to tell Nigerians that this Saturday’s election is the most important because you have the opportunity to vote out underperforming representatives and vote in your closest representatives as state governors or legislators.

“Presidential and National Assembly elections are about government at the centre, these representatives are not as close as the government within a state,” he said.

The cleric urged the electorate to vote for credible leaders who would prioritise their collective interests, well-being, and make them feel the presence of government by providing dividends of democracy.

“In Anambra, we have only a State Assembly election, so I urge residents to come out on Saturday to vote for legislators who will represent them well and carry out proper checks and balances to put the executive on their toes, not rubber-stamp legislators,” he said.

Mr Muojeke said that corruption, and not religion, remains the major problem of Nigeria, adding that Nigerians must vote incorruptible persons into office.

“Our problem is the corrupt elite taking advantage of the apolitical masses by feeding fat on the labour of citizens.

“I urge Nigerians to be politically conscious and be fully involved in politics to contribute to the common good of the nation, irrespective of tribe or religion,” he said.

(NAN)