The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 northern
states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday, said Nigerians
were living in hell as a result of the weak economy under the current
administration of the All Progressives Congress.
According to the association, the weak economy has thrown
millions of Nigerians into abject poverty and hunger such that Nigerians can
hardly afford a square meal per day.
All these, the northern CAN notes, remain the recipe for
“criminality and crime” which negatively affect education as well as the
quality of healthcare.
The religious body expressed concern that those who
mismanaged the economy were using hunger as a weapon as the 2023 general
election approached.
Against this background, the northern CAN called on
Nigerians to ensure that the 2023 general election would be conducted in an
atmosphere of peace, noting that “election is not war” as “no politician is
worth dying for.”
This was according to a communique issued at the end of a
two-day National Executive Council Meeting of the northern CAN in Kaduna.
The communique was jointly signed by its Chairman, Rev.
Yakubu Pam, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim
Commission; the Secretary General, Elder Sunday Oibe, and released to newsmen
on Thursday.
The communique read, “The NEC of CAN in the 19 northern
states and the Federal Capital Territory, met on September 4-5, 2022, in
Kaduna. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Dr.
Yakubu Pam.
“The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues affecting
Christians in the North and the state of the nation. Some of the issues
deliberated upon include the harsh economic situation in the country which had
brought about mass poverty and hunger among millions of Nigeria; the 2023
general election; insecurity; and the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff
Union of Universities and the Federal Government.
“Our weak economy has
thrown millions of Nigerians into abject poverty and hunger. Life is becoming a
living hell as people struggle to make ends meet. Almost on a daily basis,
prices of food and essential items are on the increase. Many families can
barely get one square meal in a day. There is no denying the fact that there is
poverty and hunger in the land. The reality on the ground is evident for all to
see. Poverty and hunger affects all spheres of life. It fuels criminality and
crime; it affects education; it affects quality healthcare. Hunger affects
citizens political choices.
“Already, those who mismanaged the economy are using hunger
as a weapon as the 2023 general election approaches. We call on governments at
all levels to address the problem of poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
“We call on Nigerians to ensure that the 2023 elections are
conducted under peaceful atmosphere without rancour. Election is not war. No
politician is worth dying for. No one should take the laws into his or her
hands. The Independent National Electoral Commission should ensure that the
elections are free, fair and credible.
“We call on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari
(retd.), to ensure peaceful transition at the end of his tenure in 2023. That
is the enduring legacy he will leave behind.
“Political actors must play politics according to the rules
of the game, devoid of rancour. Party leaders, flag bearers, party members,
supporters and fans must conduct themselves with decorum and focus their
campaigns on how they intend to address the myriads of problems bedeviling the
country. They must not engage in any act or conduct that can incite violence or
constitute a breach of the peace anywhere during their campaigns.
“Northern CAN also wishes to call on the youths not to allow
themselves to be used as instruments of violence by any politician. Note that
the children of some of these politicians who recruit the youths as thugs, are
schooling abroad. Parents should caution their children against being recruited
as hooligans by politicians.”
Besides, northern CAN also expressed deep concern about the
prolonged strike by ASUU, calling on the university lecturers and the FG to
resolve their differences in the best interest of the nation and the future of
the children.
This was as association commended the gallant military and
other security agencies for the ongoing efforts to crush bandits, terrorists
and other criminal elements unleashing mayhem on Nigerians, especially, in the
North.
“We are happy with the release of the remaining 23 abducted
victims of the March 28 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train,” the
communique said.
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