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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
A Christian pressure group, Nigeria National Christian Coalition (NNCC), has assured Christians in Nigeria that the era of Christians being relegated to the lower cadre of socio-economic and political leadership is over, saying it has positioned itself to “fight” for the cause of Christians in Nigeria.
The group said it has strengthened its systems to represent and negotiate as a Christian pressure group and political base to evolve, secure and present the socio-economic and leadership interests of Christians.
Convener of the Group Titilope Oluwadare, who spoke at the maiden Meet The Church Summit in Abuja, on Tuesday, explained that NNCC is a project of Nigeria Cry out Peace Initiative designed to support other Christian bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the “fight” for the welfare and interest of Christians in Nigeria.
The maiden Meet The Church Summit witnessed the presence and participation of leaders from all faith, political and economic class, and other relevant stakeholders.
Oluwadare said the 2023 general elections is a decisive opportunity for Christians to fully participate in electoral processes that would, expectedly, herald the emergence of new set of political leaders in the country.
“This time its not about appointments nor money. It is about dignity and the interests of the Body of Christ. We will no longer be negotiated or cajoled into servitude in Nigeria. We will also not be slaves or second class citizens in a land that God gave us equal partnership, thus NNCC is all about Christian strategic interests,” she said.
“We must understand that a silent revolution is happening in Nigeria. It’s youth inclusion revolution causing the transition of the hegemony of any tribe over others. It’s the beginning of tribal and religious interests becoming equal stakeholders and not one being lord over Nigeria.
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“It is a revolution of a new generation mindset in approach to leadership. It’s a revolution in the church which the church must embrace .The pulpit must listen and see that the congregation is restless. NNCC has a vibrant youth component, economic drivers component and political drivers component, they are all Christians and demand change.The church will be wise to engage and moderate these aspirations in an organized productive and constructive way.”
Oluwadare challenged Christians to rise and work for the future of the church, stressing that the future of Nigeria is dependent on what actions are taken now by those saddled with such responsibilities.
“We must engage with rational minds amongst all stakeholders to rebirth this Nation. Interests need to be harmonized, pursued, and transplanted or transformed to policies, ideas and ideologies before strategic and political engagements, and constructive dialogue can evolve positively from there,” she added.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, in his remarks, appreciated the steps taken by the NNCC and Church in general, to amplify its voice and interests in the forthcoming general elections, particularly the presidential contest.
He challenged the church not to waste its votes or sow on unproductive grounds, insisting that every Christian must see his or her vote as talents given to him by God to trade with, and as seeds that must not be wasted.
“We do not even have the liberty to preserve our vote just like the wicked and lazy servant did to his talent. We must cast the vote in a fertile ground i.e the platform we know can win the election and nothing less. After all, waste is worse than loss,” the former Speaker said.
He reminded Christians that the only way to build a nation out of Nigeria is by doing the right things, stressing that a united, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria is possible if all Nigerians go to work and make it possible.
“We can start building that Nigeria of our dreams if we don’t waste our votes in the next election circle. Don’t be a wicked and worthless servant, invest the vote God has given you instead of wasting it,” he advised.
