Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos holds Council meeting, Salutes courage of Ekiti State REC

COMMUNIQUE OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF ECCLESISTICAL PROVINCE OF LAGOS HELD AT THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. JAMES, OTA, OGUN STATE ON 28TH – 29TH APRIL 2009

The Council Meeting of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos yesterday, 29th April 2009, bemoaned the State of affairs in Ekiti State and salute the courage of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC Mrs. Olusola Ayoka Adebayo, who stated that “Ekiti State is supposed to be the election that will enhance the image of INEC, Electoral process in our dear country Nigeria and the whole of black race”.
“Unfortunately, the circumstances changed in the middle of the process, therefore my conscience as a Christian cannot allow me to further participate in the process”.

The Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Most Revd. Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo who spoke on behalf of the Bishops of the Province in their meeting during His opening address held at the Cathedral Church of St. James, Ota Ogun State said “We must salute her courage for the way she behaved and must not be crucified for her action but must be celebrated” Continuing, Archbishop Ademowo said for a woman of her standing to say that she would resign because of what she has seen need to be commended.

“This woman is a real incarnation of Polycarp, a Church Father, who refused to deny his faith in the face of persecution” Speaking further, Archbishop Ademowo said, “she must not be persecuted, she must be allowed to carry out her assignment without any threat, she must be protected”

The Bishops called on the President not to allow his name to be soiled. He must allow the rule of Law to prevail. According to them, “The President is not a president of a political party or an ethnic group but the President of Nigeria”.

The Bishops appealed that “Ekiti must not be a warfront, pointing that Nigeria must emulate other progressive nations that is devoid of political violence such as USA, Ghana and South Africa”.

SIGNED:
THE MOST REVD. DR. E.ADEBOLA ADEMOWO – LAGOS
THE RT. REV. DR. PETER A. ADEBIYI - LAGOS WEST
THE RT. REV. DR. MATTHEW O. OWADAYO – EGBA
THE RT. REV. DR. MICHAEL O. FAPE – REMO
THE RT. REV. AYO AWOSOGA – IJEBU
THE RT. REV. BABATUNDE ADEYEMI – BADAGRY
THE RT. REV. SOLOMON G. KUPONU – IJEBU-NORTH
THE RT. REV. PROF. DADA AKINDE – LAGOS MAINLAND
THE RT. REV. S.O. AJANI – EGBA WEST
THE RT. REV. J. AKIN ODEJIDE – IFO
THE RT. REV. AKIN ATERE – AWORI