Babatunde Fashola
Ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State, respected cleric and Director of Civic and Political Affairs of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland of the Anglican Communion, Venerable Folarin Shobo, has called on Lagosians to give a Christian governor the chance to rule the state.
The cleric in a statement issued on Friday, said Lagos residents could not afford to see public offices being dominated by Muslims in the state.
Shobo who admitted that Governor Raji Fashola has done well in improving on infrastructures of the state, said, “It is time for power to shift in the state. It is time for us to have people who will continue to rule with the fear of God and respect for the rule of law.
“There is a strong need for genuine internal democracy among the parties that will produce a credible candidate come 2015.”
He enjoined all Christians in the state to show interest in partisan politics, stressing on the need to change the political status quo in the state.
He said, “It is not fair to have a government that is largely tilted to people of a particular religion. Christians over the years have been magnanimous enough. We have worked for people who are not of our faith and we have supported them to be in government. It is now time for us to come out and take the bull by the horns.
“The battle for Lagos State will not come easy. It will take patience, perseverance and strong will. It will take fasting and praying and it will take the readiness of men and women who have interest in politics.”
Shobo further stated that politics and religion go hand in hand and called on church leaders to begin to sensitize their members to take up the challenge and vie for political positions in the state.
He said it was unfortunate that none of the five people being tipped to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola was a Christian.
“Asking for a Christian governor in Lagos State at this time is not out of place. It is long overdue and it is time we began to do something about it,” he said.
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