The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has called on Nigerians to vote according to their conscience in line with democratic principles and not through coercion.
CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, made the call in his message to Nigerians on the general election, urging Nigerians to vote and protect their votes. He appealed that they should avoid acts of violence which could threaten a credible electoral exercise.
Oritsejafor, who said the memory of the 2011 post election crisis was still fresh, harped on the need for citizens, irrespective of religion, ethnic and political affiliations, to embrace peace and ensure the safety of one another before, during and after the elections.
He said: “God instructed in the Holy Bible and Qur’an that we should be our brothers’ keepers. While rights of individuals should be respected, CAN believes that Nigerians must be given their rights to vote for whoever they want.
“Nigerians must eschew violence and assist the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a transparent and credible exercise because democracy does not express itself through violence. If Nigeria must get it right again and replicate the experience of 2011 general elections, we must have confidence in each other.
“Christians and Muslims must resolve to protect each other. We must ensure that Christians are safe in Muslim areas and vice versa. Nobody must be victimised on the basis of religion or ethnicity. Everyone must be able to go out and vote for whoever they want; this commitment is necessary.”
He called on security agencies to ensure the protection of the lives and property of Nigerians, adding that everyday defines who Nigerians are and the future of the country is not tied to a particular date.
“A lot of people have reasoned that the 2015 general election will define the unity and existence of Nigeria. But we say No! Elections will come and go, but Nigeria will remain. Those who believe that Nigeria will break will be disappointed because this is our country.
“We urge the citizenry to take their minds away from the thinking that Nigeria is going to break in 2015. May God strengthen our country though peace and unity! May God bless Nigeria.”
Comments