The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), says the police and other security agencies as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must not subvert the people’s will in the forthcoming July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.
CAN gave the warning through its Ekiti State Chapter, noting that the sanctity of the ballots must be respected for the State to be politically stable , develop and progress in all ramifications.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of at its plenary meeting held at First Baptist Church, Odo Ayedun in Ikole Local Government area of Ekiti State on Friday.
In the communiqué jointly signed by Joshua Orikogbe, its State Chairman, and Ipinlaye Samuel, Secretary, said, “We implore INEC and security agencies to be neutral and independent and create conducive atmosphere for free, fair and credible election .”
It also advised President Muhammadu Buhari to devise ways to curtail killings in the North East and North Central Nigeria, lamenting how Christians were being mowed down by suspected insurgents and killer herdsmen as horrendous and unacceptable to the body.
The Christians umbrella body said the matter became worse and more frightening, with the way the assailants now deployed their arsenals against Christians, by killing worshipers and the people in their places of worship.
This was as it also mourned the deaths of the CAN General Secretary, Abuja, Dr Musa Asake and the General Overseer of the Chapel of His Glory in Ekiti, Dr. Rev Kunle Salami.
“We call on all Christians to go out and vote for candidates of their choices without fear or intimidation. We also appeal to losers to embrace the winner and equally strive to abide by the rules of elections.”
CAN said several attacks by herdsmen had caused deaths and destruction of property of innocent Nigerians, saying these could ignite another civil war if not properly handled. “We solicit that the federal government should expedite action for speedy release of Leah Sharibu, one of the schoolgirls who has been in the captivity for over three months.
“The federal government should not just release her, they should bring her captors and the perpetrators of all form of killings in Nigeria to book while we charge our people to be security conscious wherever they may be.” CAN advised.
The religious association begged Buhari to place high premium on youth employment, saying empowerment of these category of population will help in combating insecurity that was daily wreaking havoc on Nigerians.
CAN, however pleaded for religious harmony in the country, saying nothing can profit the nation whose citizens are killing each other due to religious differences.