The Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has called on political candidates to support the conduct of a free and peaceful election.
According to him, they should not see the forthcoming general election as a do-or-die affair.
The primate made a call while addressing 180 Archbishops and Bishops during the inauguration of the Standing Committee of the Church in Kubwa, Abuja,.
Ndukuba appealed to political leaders to educate their followers and contribute towards the successful conduct of this year’s election.
According to him, aggrieved candidates who did not agree with the process should seek redress in the court and tribunal rather than resorting to the destruction of lives and property.
The Anglican primate, however, appealed to eligible voters to fully participate in the voting exercise and should stand against violence, voter apathy and vote buying.
He reminded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain independent and committed to conducting elections using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System ( BVAS) to deliver credible and acceptable results to citizens and the international community.
In a message, the former Primate, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh urged security agencies to carry out their assignments professionally during the election.
Okoh stressed the need for Christians to pray fervently for the peaceful conduct of this year’s general election.
He expressed the belief that with the collective efforts of all Nigerians including major stakeholders, the election would be peaceful.
On his part, the Primate Emeritus, Most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola urged the Church to come up with more initiatives to address over 30 million unemployed youths in the country.
Akinola, who decried the total neglect of youths by the government at all levels, appealed for urgent steps to address the level of poverty and hardship in the country.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been accredited to monitor and observe the forthcoming general election..
CAN President, His Eminence, Daniel Okoh said over 1 200 members of CAN had been trained at the zonal and state levels to carry out the national assignment diligently.
He said that CAN had already engaged all presidential candidates and would hold “whoever wins accountable on their campaign promises.”
The CAN leader commended the Anglican Church for providing leadership to the Christian community and solicited more support in the fight against immorality, injustice, and other vices in society.
He urged other church leaders to raise the hope of Nigerians and provide useful information in the present situation in the country.
He assured that the CAN would continue to pray for peace and development in the country.
The Standing Committee, which is the highest decision-making arm of the Anglican Church had in attendance 180 Archbishops, and Bishops as well as delegates from 170 Anglican Dioceses across the country.
The theme is: Watch and Pray: Godly Disposition, When the Kingdom Rage.
NAN
