By dotun ibiwoye
Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Okogie, has stressed that Nigeria has no justifiable reason not to conduct and organise a credible, free and fair election after 50 years as a sovereign nation.

Okogie, who was represented by  Rev. Msgr. Bernard Okodua, said this, yesterday, at the 12th Annual General Meeting of Lagos

Archdiocesan Laity Council on, Cut Off From Me You Can Do Nothing.

He said, “Nigerians were once described as the most religious people in the world. But the fact is that we Nigerians can also be very enigmatic.

“If the religiousity of a people were the yard stick for determining its level of national maturity and growth, Nigeria should have been the greatest and most powerful nation on earth,” he added.

“After 50 years as a sovereign nation, there is no justifiable reason why Nigeria cannot organize and conduct one credible free and fair election such as we are hoping to have this year.”

He noted that anti-social and anti-democratic behaviour should not form part of the national character of Nigeria so that progress can be made.

The Local Organising Committee Chairman, Mr Charles Ugeni also said that the success of the church is not measured by its physical achievements, but by the progress of those who interiorise Christ’s mystery and share in his cross and resurrection.