The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, have asked Nigerians to vote for only credible candidates in the forthcoming elections. They said Nigerians should not miss the opportunity to elect candidates with clean records and good character.
Speaking on Friday during a two-day crusade with the theme, ‘Light has Come’ in Makurdi, Benue State, Enenche, who is to be conferred with an honorary Doctor of Divinity at the Benue State University on Saturday, warned that voting the wrong candidate would prolong the country’s adversity and calamity.
He said, “The 2023 election is an opportunity to change the future of the country, to move away and depart from the evil, wickedness and darkness that have bedeviled our nation for the past seven to eight years. It is an opportunity to choose whether we want banditry, terrorism, underdevelopment, massive corruption, nepotism and clannish operation to continue or we want a total departure.
“When we see the candidates that have presented to contest election, it’s very clear that we are having choices between corruption or incorruptibility, light and darkness, progress and retrogression, old and new order. If we choose the old order, if we choose expired and retired people who should be resting, it means we are ready to continue in adversity and calamity. But if we choose people of proven result, credibility and integrity and those with proven track record with a heart for the people, then we have the chance to change things.”
Similarly, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria advised citizens not to vote for candidates with questionable character.
A communiqué issued at the end of its first plenary held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja, and signed by its president, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, and Secretary, Bishop Donatus Ogun, partly read, “This forthcoming election provides us with yet another opportunity in our national history to choose leaders capable of governing for the common good.
“This is now the time to reject evil, greater or lesser, and wisely choose good and capable candidates at all levels. Our votes are precious; we must use them well. We encourage all eligible citizens to come out en masse to vote for God-fearing, honest, vibrant, and transparent leaders for a better Nigeria.”