Christians in the North have expressed desire to join forces with those in the Southern part to form a formidable force in the 2023 general elections.
They said politicians in their region have given Southerners the impression that Christians don’t exist in the North, describing it as a ploy to divide the Christian votes.
This was disclosed at the weekend in Jos during a summit organised by the Nigeria National Christian Coalition (NNCC) tagged ‘Political Engagement, Meet the Church’.
The National Coordinator/Convener, NNCC, Titi Oluwadare, said the 2023 election would not be like the previous ones because the unity of the Church across the six geopolitical zones in the country would redefine the voting pattern, Guardian reports
According to the apostle, the Church in the North will not allow itself to be used against their brothers in the South, stressing that the unity is already sending positive signals of hope that Nigeria can elect credible leaders in the coming general elections.
Oluwadare, represented by the National Coordinator, Nigeria CryOut Movement, Zephaniah Ndaja, said: “Politicians have divided us for so long. What they use is divide-and-rule, because they know if Christians in the North have an understanding with those in the South, it will be difficult to sideline Christians in politics.”
The North Central Coordinator of NNCC, Rev. Luke Shehu, said the occasion also gave the Church the opportunity to reject Muslim-Muslim ticket, a calculated attempt to finally relegate the Church to the background.
Shehu said the “Church is aware of this and will continue to mobilise” against the evil agenda.
In the same vein, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, has admonished Nigerians not to vote for politicians that have nothing to offer in moving the country forward, come 2023.
He described such politicians as “expired drugs” seeking power by force, only to turn around and compound the nation’s woes.
Making the call during a service at the church’s headquarters, the Glory Dome, Enenche pointed out that “Nigerians have passed through a lot” and as such must do everything possible to ensure that leaders with track records of competence, integrity and capacity are elected into various positions.
The cleric, who enjoined his congregation to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the election proper, said nothing is possible until people are responsible, urging the electorate to take responsibility and make the sacrifice to vote massively for credible leaders, no matter the cost.
He said: “We have less than 90 days to the 2023 general elections, especially that of the presidency. I will like all of you, who registered earlier, to do everything possible to collect your PVCs before then.
“As it stands, you do not have any excuse not to vote because the INEC timetable for the collection of PVC will begin from December 12, 2022 to January 22, 2023. If we must achieve any positive change, people must do what is expected of them.”
