The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Gombe State Chapter, Reverend Fr. Joseph Shinga, refuted a viral letter on Friday that urged Christians in the state not to vote for Muhammadu Yahaya, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate and current governor. Shinga clarified that the Christian body does not endorse any candidates for political positions. The letter in question alleged that Yahaya is a religious bigot whose policies negatively impact the Christian faith in the state, citing past incidents to support its claims.
In an interview with journalists, Shinga dismissed the letter’s assertions as unfounded. He urged anyone with grievances against the governor to express them through appropriate channels. He emphasized that the content of the letter could foster mistrust and discord between the followers of different faiths. “I stand to debunk the letter. The author does not represent the views of Christians. The anonymity of the writer indicates a lack of confidence in their claims,” he stated. Shinga further noted that if the writer were a Christian with concerns about the governor, they should approach the association, which has established methods for addressing issues with the governor. He condemned the letter’s circulation and called on those spreading false information to cease their actions.
Regarding the alleged endorsement of Khamisu Mailantarki, the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, ahead of the March 11, 2023 gubernatorial election, Shinga asserted that there is no truth to the claim. He explained that the association’s members belong to various political parties, and it would be inappropriate to single out any candidate for endorsement. “Let it be made abundantly clear to the public that the Christian Association of Nigeria does not endorse candidates for election,” he said. He added that the association encourages its members to participate actively in the electoral process and to vote for candidates of their choice.
Shinga emphasized the importance of Christian participation in elections, stating, “There is a need to engage in the electoral process. Active participation allows individuals to influence government operations for the betterment of the state. Remaining passive only leads to indifference regarding governance. That is why I am calling on Christians to participate actively.”
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