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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 flagbearer for the 2023 election.
The group stated this in a press conference in Ilorin, Kwara state capital on Monday, to kick start 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 evidently shows that personal ambition and interest are the overriding goal 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 recognizes secularity.
“One will not be wrong to say that trampling on the religious rights of Nigerian 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 candidate of our choice.
The group however stated the churches and Christian body will play a key role in the forthcoming election.
“We are assuring you that the Chuch and Christian organizations will play a more significant role in the current dispensation than before and we shall deploy our strategy when the time come.
Talking on the conference, Pastor Aiyedogbon said the conference is basically for Ministers, Church Leaders, Church Workers and Christians stated that 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.
Disclosed further that they are expecting more than eight hundred participants.
The group also condemned the Insecurity, call for Judiciary independence and appeal to FG over the ongoing ASUU strike.
“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.
“These criminals are exploiting Nigeria’s technological incompetence, and weak politicized law enforcement agencies to overwhelm the people.
“Our leaders and those at the helms of affairs of security in the country must put their acts together and fully confront the security challenges in the country and no effort should be spared at ensuring 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 also call 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.
“It was alleged that Boko Haram declared that churches be closed for three months. Although, this is an unconfirmed statement it should not be taken lightly by security agencies. If we may ask, can we say there is any safe place in the country?
“The government of Nigeria has been treating these bandits with kids’ glove which embolden them to attack even the advance convoy of the President of the Country.
“The group also add their voice to the call for the independence of judiciary said The crisis of confidence rocking the supreme court of Nigeria has opened the gate to deeper rot in Federal and State judiciary in which deserving attention must be given because of the crucial roles of judiciary in 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.
“Financial autonomy of the judiciary which has been on the table for a long period is over due for approval if the judiciary is to play her roles as expected”.
Speaking 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,” he said.
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