Kazeem Owoseni
The Christian Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom Chapter, has advised Church leaders and all christians in the state to exercise their franchise and participate actively in the forthcoming elections.
While advising christians, the chairman of the association, Dr. Christian Nyong, noted that it is a constitutional right of every citizen to participate in elections and individual partcipation in the electoral process is constitutionally guaranteed.
While speaking further, Dr. Nyong revealed that it is even biblically right to perform in electoral process because the holy book does not go against any christian participating in politics and electoral activities, so far, such action does not instigate violence or cause any form of unrest that will breach public peace and cause any form of political unrest.
He further warned the christians, churches and the christian bodies to be wary of politicians, their antics and sinister motive to lure the church into their selfish plans, as the result may be disastrous at the end.
He said, “Church leaders are not to undertake actions or partake in activities that are capable of inviting civil unrest, or causing a breach of public peace.”
According to him, “They must be sensitive to the concentrated anger that has been triggered by the fallout of recent economic policies and fuel scarcity in our country, which have foisted an unprecedented level of despondency on our land.”
While, warning politicians against the uterances that could incite any form of violence during their electioneering campaigns, the chairman also stated that the christian leaders should pray fervently for free, fair and violence-free elections.