By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN CITY— FORMER Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Roland Owie, yesterday, called on Nigerian politicians to emulate the conduct of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, election, so as to have a free and fair elections in the 2011 general elections.

He recalled that the winner of the election, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, was immediately congratulated by the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, John Onaiyekan, after the result of the election was announced, saying that such display of sportsmanship should be emulated by Nigerians in order not to threaten the nation’s democracy in future elections.

He, however, warned the religious leaders not to politicise the activities of the CAN, adding that the association has members in all the political parties in Nigeria but should work for peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians irrespective of political affiliation.

Senator Owie, who spoke to Vanguard, while reacting to the result of the CAN election, said  the clergymen have “shown politicians what we should do after elections. Unfortunately, between 2003 and now, it has been difficult for most politicians to accept defeat because of massive rigging in the elections”.

He, however, expressed hope that new the leadership of the Independent National electoral Commission, INEC,  led by Professor Attahiru Jega, would be able to conduct a credible election for the country, adding: “We hope that Jega’s INEC will conduct free and fair election, which will make winners to be proud of winning and losers too will be proud of their efforts and congratulate winners.”

He admonished the new leadership of CAN to concentrate on the socio-religious obligations of the association.