The choices to be made by Nigerians in the 2023 general election will determine the fortunes of the country, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said on Tuesday, Punch reports.
He advised ministers of God to play a decisive role in determining who becomes the next President of Nigeria.
Okoh, the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International, expressed these views during the Divine Commonwealth Conference of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion in Abuja.
He called on the people to be properly guided as regards the choice of the next President of the country, stressing the need for Christians in Nigeria speak with one voice and act together.
He said, “The election of 2023 is a valid opportunity for Nigerian to turn around the fortunes of this country. It is important that we use our leadership positions to mobilize our members to come out on the days of election to vote for candidates that can bring healthy balance in governance which will restore the confidence of the people in government.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Coalition of Pastors for Good Leaders, Apostle Babatunde Oguntimehin, has presented proof of ordination and registers of members to dismiss the claim of CAN that they are faceless clerics.
The action was coming barely 24 hours after a delegation of Abuja-based pastors and bishops endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at a town hall with some party chieftains from Tinubu’s support group, ‘City Boy Movement.’
However, Luminous Jannamike, Special Assistant on Media to the CAN President, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh in a statement, disowned the clerics, hours after the endorsement, saying it was standing by its earlier stance of “no to a same-faith ticket.”
Jannamike stated that in as much as the body cannot prevent individuals and self-acclaimed ministers from voting for certain candidates, the body could not be seen joining issues with religious blocs not affiliated with CAN.
However, the NCPGL president disclosed in a media chat that it was unfortunate that such a comment was coming from the highest Christian body in the country.
In parts, he said, “Let me clear the air on CAN’s recent comment, tagging us as faceless pastors. We are not. We are Christians, pastors, and members of CAN. Some of our pastors are also members of PFN and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches.
