2019 polls will determine Nigeria’s integrity – Okowa

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has said Nigeria’s integrity before the international community hinges on free, fair and credible 2019 general elections.

Receiving the recently inaugurated executive committee of the Delta State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Apostle Sylvanus Okorote on a courtesy visit in government house, Asaba on Tuesday, Okowa called for prayers for 2019 polls.

“The Church should pray for our country Nigeria and the state. The Church should make its position known that we can have free and fair elections in Nigeria because, if we have credible elections, the comity of nations will have respect for us in the country and there will be direct foreign investment and the resource base of the country will develop.

“We need to do a lot more to ensure that our elections are free, fair and credible. I hope that the INEC and security agencies will play their part. But it falls on every Nigerian to ensure that we have free and fair elections and stand up and speak the truth. 2019 elections is a critical moment in the history of this country,” Governor Okowa said.

The governor implored the continuous partnership between the church and government, stating: “the partnership between the church, traditional institutions and government must be strengthened for the state to develop and grow; the church should pray for our country Nigeria and the state.”

Senator Okowa thanked CAN for their prayers and assured its members that security would be beefed up as the Yuletide season sets in, while efforts are geared up to upgrade the Asaba Airport to international standards.

Earlier, Apostle Okorete thanked the governor for the development strides across the state, stating that the visit was to introduce the new Delta State CAN executive to the Governor.