Prominent religious leaders in Nigeria have urged citizens to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and prepare to vote according to their conscience in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for February 25. Among those advocating for civic engagement were the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, as well as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh. Their remarks were made during the 5th Annual Peace Conference and General Assembly of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, which focused on the theme “Religion and Ethnicity: Safeguarding the 2023 General Elections.”
During the conference, Abubakar, represented by Zubairu Usman, the Director of Administration at NSCIA, emphasized the importance of prioritizing national identity over ethnic or religious affiliations. He stated, “We are first Nigerians before anything else,” encouraging citizens to obtain their PVCs, conduct themselves peacefully, and approach the polls with wisdom and integrity.
Similarly, Archbishop Okoh, represented by Most Rev. Benebo Fubara-Manuel, addressed the contentious issue of the same-faith presidential ticket. He acknowledged the Christian Association of Nigeria’s (CAN) firm stance against this arrangement but urged voters to listen to their conscience and seek guidance from God. Okoh remarked, “Individuals will vote according to their consciences. Vote for the person that God has placed in your heart as the leader of the country, even when CAN says no to the same-faith ticket.” He clarified that CAN’s opposition is intended to alleviate tensions and encourage political parties to navigate the nation’s diverse religious and ethnic landscape responsibly.
Earlier in the conference, the co-chairmen of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha and Alhaji Kunle Sanni, called on political actors to refrain from any attempts to manipulate the electoral process. Their appeal underscored the need for integrity and fairness in the upcoming elections.
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