By Adeleye Kunle
The Niger State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared that it will not encourage Christians to vote for any political party that fields candidates of the same faith in the 2023 Governorship Election, Track News reports.
The umbrella organization for all Christian bodies in the state, (CAN), has also stated that it will fully support Christians seeking elective office in the state.
Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohana, the state CAN Chairman, stated this after an emergency meeting with State Executive members, Local Government Coordinators, Bloc and other leaders held at the State Secretariat in Minna. He added that Christians had been marginalised in the past and that it is now time to take a decisive stand.
“As equal stakeholders in Niger State concerned about the state’s development, we are ready to mobilize all Christians not to support and vote for any Political Party that undermines our ability to present a same faith ticket in the upcoming general elections,” the Chairman declared.
The Chairman also stated in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Daniel Atori, that “we have resolved to allow equity, justice, and fairness to play out.” We are aware that there have been numerous arguments regarding the number of Christians in the state; however, democracy is said to be a game of numbers, and the next elections will undoubtedly demonstrate our position.
“We urge all eligible Nigerians, particularly Christians, to obtain Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote in the 2023 general elections if you truly want to effect positive change.”
“If Niger State is to be saved, Christians in both rural and urban areas must wake up and act.” “We need to arm ourselves with PVCs, and now is the time to make all necessary efforts to do so, as well as to vote,” he said.
“All we are telling political parties is that with our voters’ cards, we will sway votes towards the party that respects Christians in the state,” Bishop Yohanna said.
The CAN Executive met with executive members of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) a few weeks ago to discuss the importance of considering Christians as deputies.
The PDP Governorship candidate, Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi, chose a Christian, Samuel Gomna, as his running mate, who was endorsed by the Party in the state, while the APC Governorship candidate, Alhaji Umar Bago, chose a Muslim, incumbent state NLC Chairman, Comrade Yakubu Garba, who was also endorsed by his Party.
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