From Paul Orude, Bauchi

The Forum of Northern Christian Leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) led by former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, have continued with their consultations in reaction to the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the party ahead of the 2023 general election.

Dogara in a tweet , yesterday, said the group met with Christian leaders in the 19 northern states.

The group had convened a summit of northern Christian leaders in Abuja, recently, where it rejected the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim presidential and vice presidential ticket by the ruling APC.

APC Presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in July nominated Senator Kashim Shettima, a Muslim from Borno State as his running mate.

Dogara, in the tweet via his twitter handle  @YakubDogara shared a group photographs of himself, Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal, Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo (APC, Adamawa), and former Kogi state Deputy Governor Simon Achuba in company of all State Chairmen of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“#NigeriaDecides2023- The Fight for Justice Continues. Today,  we held a Consultative Meeting with Christian Leaders From the 19 Northern States and the FCT on the Pan-Nigerian platform to adopt in 2023,” he said.

Meanwhile, Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has advised politicians seeking offices in 2023 to double their efforts  to win the confidence and vote of the electorate.

He said the elections would not be business as usual as Nigerians were wiser, more enlightened and increasingly ready to participate in the political process that would herald the emergence of new set of political leaders.

The cleric dropped the advice in Abuja, shortly after the consecration of three new Bishops –  Benjamin Enwuchola, Otukpo Diocese; Christian Anyim, Isukwuato-Umunneoch Diocese and Isaac Adeyemi Adeniji, Ilaje Diocese.

“The 2023 exercise won’t be business as usual the way politicians think. Many Nigerians have lost hope in this country because of increasing insecurity, unemployment, collapse of economy and various social vices.

“Undoubtedly, in the past, there was voter apathy among electorates, and that was because they think their vote doesn’t count. But things have changed for good now. Nigerians are more wiser, enlightened and ready to participate in the process. This time, people are ready to cast and defend their votes.

“Lately, we have done massive mobilisation to encouraged people to participate in the recently concluded Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) ready, and most importantly, come out en mass to cast their vote on the election day, and also monitor their votes.”

He said the Church had repeatedly asked politicians to engage in politics without bitterness.

“Politics shouldn’t be a do or die affair. If a candidate fail to win election in a particular season, such candidate shouldn’t feel bad and possibly take to pull down syndrome. There will always be more opportunities to win election and lead the people if it’s the will of God. But for the 2023 elections, it’s the opportunity for the citizens of Nigeria to cast their vote for people that have the fear of God and are willing and capable of improving the life and welfare of the people. This time, Nigerians are not ready to trade with their vote. Undoubtedly, 2023 will usher Nigerians into new season of freedom, security, prosperity and God’s blessings.”

The Anglican congratulated the newly consecrated Bishops and charged them to be good ambassadors of Christ and also be in the vanguard for the propagation of the Gospel of Christ in their immediate locality and beyond.