The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ondo State
Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has said competence and integrity and not
religion should be considered in choosing the nation’s next leaders.
He also noted that the antecedents of prominent candidates
in the forthcoming presidential election should be evidence of their capacity
to lead the country.
Akeredolu charged Nigerians to keep the debate on equity and
justice alive for peace to reign in the land, adding that the South must
produce the next President “in the spirit of equity and fairness”.
The governor was said to have said this on Friday at the
16th Jesus Festival Dinner of the Ibadan Anglican Diocese held at the Ibadan
Civic Centre, Agodi, Ibadan.
Akeredolu, who was the Chairman of the occasion noted that
only “competence and integrity should be the criteria for representation”,
stressing that the recent debate on representation on account of faith is most
unnecessary.
He said, “As Christians, we must not only be prayerful, it
is important that we adopt proactive measures in our bid to protect ourselves
against any evil design. We must be vigilant and ready to challenge all actions
which threaten to relegate our collective interest to the background.
“In the same vein, we
must be wary of the antics of the cunning and deceitful who may wish to exploit
the challenges to advance their destructive designs.
“In as much as we encourage full participation of Christians
in politics, our involvement must not be used to create disaffection among the
various ethnic and religious groups in the country. We must resist the attempts
by some elements to use religion to perpetuate the crisis.
“Christians are yet to come together to elect
representatives who must vie for political offices. Any individual aspiring to
serve in any capacity should project his or her strength of character rather
than hide under an omnibus but clearly dubious forum to appropriate our
collective rights for personal consideration.
“The recent debate on representation on account of faith is
most unnecessary. Competence and integrity should be the criteria for
representation.
“All those who do not wish to be ruled by persons of dubious
character should endeavour to be active in the days ahead. Let all those with
their PVCs vote for candidates of their choice. All candidates should be put to
the strictest proof of their claims.
“Anyone who exhibits any shred of doubt should be rejected
roundly. The antecedents of prominent candidates in the forthcoming
presidential elections, and even all elections, should be evidence of capacity.
The manifesto belongs, largely, to the party.’’
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