he President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, has identified the qualities of candidates he wants Christians to vote into offices in 2023.
He is, however, not talking in the direction of the controversy that surrounds the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressive’s Congress’s presidential candidate and his running mate – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
According to Okoh, people should not vote on party lines.
Rather, he said, they should vote for those with tested capacities.
While delivering the sermon at the 2022 International Men’s Conference of Christ Holy Church International in Abuja on Sunday, he said, “It is important that people of God at this time should have their eyes open. Before casting your votes, make sure you know the people you are giving your votes.
“In Nigeria, things are beginning to change. Gone are those days when people vote based on the political party fielding the candidate; when once you have the ticket of a particular party, you are covered.
“Today, people are looking at individuals, their credibility, character, experience, capacities and antecedents in relation to the positions they want to occupy.
“Nigerians have come to a point where they feel that they need to sit down and negotiate with the presidential and governorship candidates.
“We must ask them: ‘What is our portion in your administration (if elected)?’ They should be able to convince you before you can cast their votes for them. Nobody should take away your future from you. Don’t let anyone give you money to buy your conscience and four years of joy.
“To the people who are in politics, when you are making promises, make sure you are telling the people what you can fulfil.
“There’s no need promising us you can give us heaven on earth when you know that given the realities on the ground you cannot be able to fulfill it.”
