Reject desperate candidates, CAN advises Nigerians

THROUGH its President, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday advised Nigerians not to vote for any desperate presidential candidate next year.

Rev. Samson Ayokunle gave the counsel while briefing reporters after meeting with presidential candidates of 14 political parties in Abuja on their plans for Nigerians and the church.

He was shocked by what he described as the high level of desperation among politicians in the run-up to the February election.

The cleric warned of the likely breach of public peace during the election, if police, Army, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other security agencies do not conduct themselves properly.

His words: “The motive of the meeting is not to take for granted the 2019 general elections. The church cannot keep quite in this situation because the church can only prosper when Nigeria prospers. If the 2019 election is not free and fair all Nigerians will be in trouble including the church.

“When I spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari and told him that when we conducted the 2015 elections, people didn’t expect it to be so free and fair but the way the then administration conducted it gave us a sense of pride in the international community.

“If the 2019 election is not better, if the police are not better-behaved, if the Army is not better-behaved, if INEC is not better-behaved, then it will be a failure.

“If politicians are not better behaved and they show desperation it will be a failure. We are again warning politicians. The desperation we saw at the intra-party election is given us concern.

 If they can be so desperate and they end up fighting what will they do when they contest with opposition? The desperation is too much. “Whoever knows that he do not have any other job then politics should forget about contesting. The person should go and look for a job that will last him his life time. It is not compulsory that you should lead us. “Leading Nigeria is a sacrifice. Why do you want to lead by force? You do not need to destroy the entire land. When you said you must lead us at all cost, then, we should suspect you.

“You need to know that the world is not created for you alone. If you do not win the 2019 election, heaven will not fall. We have millions on Nigerians who can do what you want to do. Do not set this nation on fire.

“So, we have decided to reach out to the stakeholders and the presidential candidates to ask them their credentials for aspiring to the highest position in the country, and also the plan they have for all, including the church.”

 “You will agree with me that in the past few years, we have witnessed bloodshed in an unimaginable proportion and we cannot afford to lose more lives any longer. So, we need to really confront them with questions that matter about the future of our country.

“We have reached a stage where whoever will lead us must not complain for not repositioning our economy. We have a short time to live on earth and everyday matters. We must live a better tomorrow for our children. So those who want to lead us must get serious. They must also know what we want them to do.”

Those at the forum included: former Anambra State Governor Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential running mate Peter Obi, Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the former Education minister and Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN).