The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Thursday urged Nigerians to vote according to their conscience in the 2023 presidential election.
It said they should vote for a candidate “who will best lead the nation into a new era of peace, security, prosperity and collective progress”.
Its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the body expects whoever wins to meet its demands and those of Nigerians.
CAN had articulated its position in The Charter for a New Nigeria, which was presented to the presidential candidates.
Okoh, who spoke at an interactive session at the ecumenical centre, Abuja, said the engagement with the presidential candidates was not an endorsement event.
He urged the presidential candidate to keep to the promises made to CAN and Nigerians.
Okoh said in a statement: “We urge all Nigerians, before marching to the polls in 2023, to listen dispassionately to all that the presidential candidates have to say and judge from the depths of their consciences who will best lead the nation into a new era of peace, security, prosperity and collective progress.
“Their decision to meet and dialogue with CAN officials and other Christian leaders ahead of the 2023 general elections is remarkable.
“This is not only because the church is a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian project, but it also provided us with a platform to collectively review our understanding of the crisis of development and governance facing our nation and find a lasting solution to them.
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“Having consulted with Nigerians of diverse religious, ethnic and social classes on the problems of the country and the possible solutions to them, CAN articulated these ideas in a document we christened The Charter for a New Nigeria.
“The position of CAN on certain national issues based on this document was presented to the presidential candidates.”
CAN believes there was a need for a proper understanding of the issues and thorough planning to ensure that the candidates’ pronouncements do not end up as mere rhetoric while an impatient public counts the days – for implementation.
It added: “Since the apex Christian body understands that Nigeria’s next helmsman will be under serious pressure to make an immediate impact upon assumption of office next year, we make a solemn promise to keep our doors open for further discussion on how best to make these laudable ideas a reality for the public good.
“We wish all the presidential candidates safety and security as they campaign vigorously for votes in the next three months, and reiterate our promise to continue to work and pray for violence-free elections in 2023.” (Nation)
