The President of the Christian Associationof Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has said in this Saturday’s elections,Nigeria was expected to march to greatness as opposed to all the doomsday prophecies surrounding the polls.
Oritsejafor explainedthat there was need to protect voters during and after the elections.
He said: “As Nigerians vote again tomorrow (today) Saturday March 28 2015 to define their destiny, the Christian Associationof Nigeria (CAN) hereby reiterates the needfor citizens irrespective oftheir religious, ethnic and political affiliations toembrace peace and ensure the safety of one another before, during and after the elections.
“The post-election violenceof 2011 is still fresh in our memory and we cannot afford another one. God instructed in the Holy Bible and Koran that we should be our brothers’ keepers. While rights of individuals should be respected, CAN believesthat Nigerians must be given their rights to vote for whoever they want.”
Oritsejafor further charged Nigerians to, “vote according to their conscience in line with democratic principles and not through coercion. Our advice is vote and protect your votes but avoid acts of violencethat could threaten a credible electoral exercise.
“Nigerians must eschewviolenceand assist the Independent National Electoral Commissionto ensure a transparent and credible exercisebecause democracy does not express itselfthrough violence. If Nigeria must get it right again and replicate the experienceof 2011 general elections,we must have confidencein each other,” he said.
The CAN president stressedthat “Christians and Muslims must resolveto protect each other. We must ensure that Christians are safe in Muslim areas and vice versa. Nobody must be victimisedon the basis of religion or ethnicity.
“Everyone must be able to go out and vote for whoever they want; this commitment is necessary. The security agencies must ensure the protection of the lives and properties of citizens.
“Everyday defines who we are and the future of this country is not tied to a particular date. A lot of people have reasoned that the 2015 general electionwill definethe unity and existence ofNigeria. But we say No! Elections willcome and go, but Nigeria will remain.
“Those who believe thatNigeria will break willbe disappointed because this is our country. We urge the citizenry to take their minds away from the thinking that Nigeria is going to break in 2015.”
He stated with the commitmentsof all Nigerians, God willstrengthen the country though peace and unity.
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