The Council of Church Leaders and Ministers have expressed disappointment in the choice of a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its presidential flag bearer for the 2023 election.
The group made its position known at a news conference held in Ilorin, Kwara state capital North Central Nigeria on Monday while starting its 26th edition of the annual fellowship conference.
The conference is themed “The Church in the time like this”.
Addressing the media on the state of the nation, the chairman of the council, Pastor Abel Aiyedogbon, said “our political leaders are not sensitive to the feelings of the citizens of the country because the behaviour of the political class most of the time shows that personal ambition and interest are the overriding goals and not patriotism.
“How will anybody think about fielding candidates of the same religion for the first and the second place when the constitution of the country recognises secularity?
“One will not be wrong to say that trampling on the religious rights of Nigerians is manifest in the idea of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, which some people are now championing. It should be noted that people maligned and presented as inconsequential are not likely to forget.
“The suggestion of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is all about impunity and a callous lack of consideration for others.
“It is a form of religious intolerance to even contemplate either a Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket. “Any party that thinks or believes that the Christian population can be ignored without consequences will be doing so to her peril. One may ask; As the case presents, does it means that the Northern Christians have no electoral value?
“Contrary to the perception of some political leaders who believe that religion will not be a factor in the choice of presidential running mate this body, we hasten to warn that any party that underrates our electoral value will be doing so to her disadvantage.
The political class can decide to field whosoever they like just as much as we have our right to vote for candidates of our choice.
Talking about the conference, Pastor Aiyedogbon said the conference is basically for Ministers, Church Leaders, Church Workers and Christians. According to him, the objectives of the conference are to train and re-train ministers, church leaders, and workers, raise future ministers, leaders and provide up-to-date information on current development and state of affairs (nationally and internationally) and how members can leverage events around them to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. He disclosed further that they are expecting more than eight hundred participants. The group, however, stated the churches and Christian bodies will play a key role in the forthcoming election.
“We are assuring you that the Church and Christian organisations will play a more significant role in the current dispensation than before and we shall deploy our strategy when the time comes.
“To say there is trouble in the land at the moment is, to say the least. The kidnappers, terrorists and a wide assortment of ruthless criminals and gun-toting bandits such as ISWAP, Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, and unknown gunmen are running riot across the country without respect for rank or calling.
“Our leaders and those at the helms of affairs of security in the country must come together and fully confront the security challenges in the country stressing that no effort should be spared at ensuring the protection of lives and property in Nigeria. “Enough is enough of the shedding of innocent blood. Whatever strategies that are needed must be deployed to solve the lingering security challenges facing the country” the group added.
It also called on the security agencies to pay serious attention to the alleged report of Boko haram calling on the churches to be closed for three months. The group also added their voice to the call for the independence of the judiciary lamenting that the crisis of confidence rocking the Supreme Court of Nigeria has opened the gate to deeper rot in Federal and State judiciary which deserves attention must be given because of the crucial roles of the judiciary in the country.
“We equally want to align our position with that of the President of NBA, Tayo Akpata that there is an urgent need for fundamental reforms of the administration and governance of the judiciary.
On the ASUU strike, the group said the plights of university students who have been at the receiving end over the years need to be considered.
“As a body and stakeholders in the destinies of our children, we are appealing to the parties concerned especially the Federal Government to quickly resolve the ASUU crisis because the students involved are the future leaders of our nation and if they are not prepared for such roles as expected, the future of our country may be in jeopardy.
“Today is the womb of tomorrow, what we do with our nation today will determine how strong the country will be tomorrow. The Nigeria of tomorrow is certainly going to be what the ruling class of today organises it to be,” the group said.
Dominica Nwabufo
