The European Union Election Observation Mission led by the duo of Robert Hall and Diana Ferrari has pledged that they will not violate their mandate or the oath taken not to be participants in Nigeria’s general election holding on 25 February and 11 March 2023.
They made the pledge when the team called on His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, the spiritual leader of a renowned spiritual organisation, Brotherhood of the Cross and Star with international headquarters in Calabar, Cross Rivers State in the South-South region of Nigeria.
Explaining their mission during the visit, they said it was imperative that they stopped over to see the spiritual leader because from their intelligence he has a significant positive influence over the mammoth adherents of the sect in Nigeria and abroad.
The leader of the team, Robert Hall commended the spiritual leader for sacrificial efforts at uniting families and communities.
He said: “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 Nigerian general election by casting their votes, there was the need for us to visit the Leader of BCS.”
Speaking about being neutral during the election, Hall affirmed: “Nothing can make us to violate our mandate or the oath taken not to be participants in the election.”
Responding, the spiritual leader said he was very happy over their visit and will accord them the desired cooperation.
He said the forthcoming election is very important to Nigerians but he has no preferred presidential candidate.
He told the EU delegation that he has admonished his adherents to freely exercise their franchise to whoever the Spirit administers to them.
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 the Mission’s request to know more about the organization, the spiritual leader said his mission and teachings border on love, forgiveness, peace and unity of all races.
He said that save for Russia, the church has worship centres in several countries of the world.
He assured EU Observers of their safety throughout their stay in Nigeria, adding that he will gladly receive them again since they promised to return to the organization in continuation of their election education.
The EU delegation was taken round the sprawling complex on a guided facility tour by a high priest of the fold, Justice Osai Ahiakwo before they departed.
