The flagrant abuse and desecration of the sacredness of electoral processes in Nigeria, is giving the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, cause for concern.

Ugorji, made his feelings known, while delivering the homily at a Pontifical Mass to mark his pastoral visit to St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Owerri.

His words: “Many people, who, rightly or wrongly, found themselves in public offices, now think, behave and force their wills, including election results on the rest of us, as if nothing matters any more.

“Bad governance begins with rigging the elections. Our nation is now faced with the culture of severe rigging in virtually all our elections. It is not only distancing the citizens from government, but it is also destroying our corporate image in the international community.

“It is sad to note that the government in power in all the states in Nigeria, determines who the local government chairmen and councillors will be, irrespective of people’s choice.

“The ugly development took place in Anambra, Imo and in the other states that have supposedly conducted local government elections in the country.

“We must learn to respect the sanctity and sacredness of the electoral processes. People’s votes must count in all polling exercises, if we must lift Nigeria to where it ought to be.

READ ALSO: Shettima inaugurates National Road Safety Advisory Council, Pledges Safer Roads

“If we continuously fail to allow the citizens to exercise this civic duty optimally, it will breed another worrisome development that will further damage the nation’s sagging image.

“At present, we have a nation that hardly respects the principles of justice, equity fair play. These parameters must be respected, if our country must move from its present sorry state, to a better, brighter, safer and economically vibrant years ahead.”

Continuing, Archbishop Ugorji said it remains a mystery, how Nigerians are surviving the hard times in the country.

Ugorji said: “It remains a mystery that we are alive today, in Nigeria. Those who could not take the economic battering, have sadly died.

“There is unspeakable hardship in the land. There is spiralling inflation, high cost of transportation, kidnapping and the nation’s highways are most insecure.

“If things continue going this way, it may lead to an unpredictable outcome.”