February 19, (THEWILL) – The European Union Election Observation Mission has pledged to remain neutral and not violate its mandate during the forthcoming general elections.
The Observers Mission led by Robert Hall and Diana Ferrari, made the pledge over the weekend when the team called on His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, the spiritual leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star with International headquarters in Calabar, southern Nigeria.
The Mission said as part of its assignment in Nigeria, it was imperative they stopped over to see the spiritual leader because, from their intelligence, he had much positive influence over his mammoth adherents in Nigeria and abroad.
Robert Hall, the team leader, commended the spiritual leader for sacrificial efforts at uniting families and communities.
“We are election observers on assignment to Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. We received good reports about the spiritual leader and his large followers and noted that BCS is an influential community with a very large congregation in Nigeria.
“Since we are to educate the electorate on the need to participate in the Nigeria general election by casting their votes, there was the need for us to visit the Leader of BCS.
“Nothing can make us violate our mandate or the oath taken not to be participants in the election,” he said.
Responding, Leader Olumba Obu told the EU delegation that he has admonished his adherents to freely exercise their franchise to whoever the spirit administers to them.
Leader Obu sued for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the general election, stressing that it must be devoid of vote buying, rigging, violence and killings.
On their request to know more about the organisation, Leader Obu said his mission and teachings border on love, forgiveness, peace and unity of all races.
He said that except in Russia, he has worship centres in several countries of the world.
He assured the Mission of their safety throughout their stay in Nigeria and promised to gladly receive them again.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
