As the 2023 general election gathers momentum, the Plateau
State Governor, Simon Lalong, has urged the Christian community in Nigeria not
to treat politics as a dirty game.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Dr Macham Makut, on
Saturday, the governor spoke when he hosted northern Christian leaders in Jos,
the state capital.
According to the governor, Christian leaders must galvanise
the Church and make demands from candidates vying for political offices.
Lalong said this was necessary because anyone whom God gave
power, must work for the interest of all Nigerians including the Christian
community.
The governor said, “This is why we must work harder towards
mobilising our brothers and sisters to actively participate in the political
process so as to not only decide who leads them, but also have a say on the
table when decisions are being taken. We can no longer afford to treat politics
as a dirty game thereby leaving it to some few people, and yet complain of
marginalisation and poor governance. It is the Church that has the solution to
the world since Jesus Christ called us the Salt of the Earth and Light of the
World.”
Governor Lalong said as a governor and Chairman, Northern
Governors Forum, he had enjoyed tremendous support and collaboration from the
Christian leaders within the state and the entire northern region who had to
engage him and other leaders over policies and programmes of government as well
as other national issues, particularly as they affected the Christian
community.
He disclosed that he was aware of the expectation of
Christians especially as it related to issues affecting their rights and
privileges as well as security and safety within the political system.
“Therefore, as we approach 2023 when Nigerians will be
making crucial decisions, I challenge you as leaders to guide your members to
first be part of the process and also ensure that they do not make decisions
based on emotions and other factors that will not add value to their
aspirations.
“We should be
strategic and look at the bigger picture and how it affects our interests,” he
said.
The governor assured them that as a Christian and a Knight
of the Catholic Church, he would continue to do his best to protect the
interest of the Body of Christ in any position God gave him to serve the
people.
In their goodwill messages, the COCIN President, Rev. Dr.
Amos Mhozo, who spoke on behalf of heads of denominations in Plateau, Rev. Dr.
Yusuf Wushishi, and former Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari, said the
Church must be involved in politics by sensitising its members towards
participation in order to advance righteousness in governance.
They emphasised the need for men of God to always preach
peace and douse tensions associated with elections.
They were also of the view that religious leaders should
encourage people to do the right thing and vote for who they choose, without
intimidation, harassment and coercion.
Bishop John Daniels led other clergy to pray for the peace
and prosperity of Nigeria and for the successful conduct of the 2023 elections.
They also prayed for Governor Lalong in his responsibilities as Chairman Northern Governors Forum and the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
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