Cardinal Onaiyekan gave the warning while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The cleric, who is also a member of the National Peace Committee, said that candidates insisting on winning the next general elections at all costs are not democratic.

The Archbishop noted that some politicians use combative language very often in their political campaigns, adding that such a campaign would not bring progress to the nation.

“For politicians, I will beg them. Enough of lies, enough of insistence that we must win, because there are politicians who keep saying we must win this election, whatever it takes, we will win.

Onaiyekan, a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, believed that the state of insecurity in the country was making almost every aspect of “our national life problematic.”

He expressed these views in his keynote address delivered during the special citizens’ summit in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity in Abuja, with the theme, ‘The state of the nation.’

At the event, NAS Capoon, Abiola Owoaje, said the association, since its creation, had remained resolute in galvanizing Nigerians irrespective of political interests, ethnic background and religious persuasion. 

He said the summit was one of the ways members of the organisation have been contributing their quota to national development. 

“This special edition provides another opportunity to compel each of us as Nigerians to reflect on our individual roles in working for the redemption and progress of Nigeria. Without exaggeration, the unity and development of Nigeria is a responsibility each Nigerian has a share. 

“As an apolitical and non-religious organisation with principles of humanistic ideals, the opinion of the organization remains strongly rooted in the unity, development and progress of Nigeria”, Owoaje said.

Onaiyekan, however, expressed optimism that notwithstanding the challenges, Nigeria was yet to reach the stage of being referred to as a failed state. 

He maintained that only a few people who were in and outside of government and are personal beneficiaries of the performance of the government may be quite happy with the present situation. 

Credit: Newspot Nigeria

The Prelate made the call in Lagos during his investiture as the leader of Methodists in Nigeria and some countries in West Africa.

According to a statement made available to The PUNCH by the church’s Media, Public Relations, and Strategic Communications Advisor, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, on Monday, Aba advised citizens at home and in the diaspora to intensify their prayers in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

He said, “Electioneering campaigns should be more civil and issue-based considering the fact that the singular purpose of governance which they are all aspiring to do is to serve and bring succour to citizens who are suffering and are desirous of a better living condition.

“We must address the challenges confronting our nation with prayers and more prayers. While it is the responsibility of governments at all levels to develop policies capable of solving the mirage of problems facing us as a country, we as citizens have the corresponding responsibility of praying for them not to be derailed by selfishness and greed.

“While it is right to pressure them and demand good governance, we cannot take away the place of prayer and this we must do intently, with purpose, and without ceasing. As Nigerians, we cannot afford to give up hope at this time.”

SOURCE: NEWSPOT NIGERIA