…call for implementation of 2014 National Conference Report, harps on Godliness, patriotism
Ranmilowo Ojalumo
As the nation marks its 60th year anniversary, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency signed the electoral reform bill which has already been passed by the national assembly and sent to the president for assent since last year.
In a statement signed by the National president of the association, Rev Samson ‘Olasupo A. Ayokunle, PhD, on Tuesday and made available to The Factual Newspaper, CAN insisted that the nation’s elections must be free, fair and credible if the Nigerian citizens and other nations must respect the nation’s political leaders, stressing that trust is earned and not imposed or enforced.
While examining some of the factors that have held the country down to its current crawling state, CAN reiterated that the nation’s electoral system has remained far from being free, fair, and credible because of thuggery, godfather syndrome and the use sometimes of law enforcement agents to intimidate voters in order to win election.
The Can president, who is also the President of Nigerian Baptist Convention noted in the statement that failure to have credible elections was why some developed countries threatened and are still threatening Nigerian political leaders to rig elections and risk visa denial, pointing that the nation’s politicians have often over promised but under-delivered at the expense of the electorate which has led to voters apathy.
CAN also harp on the need to revisit the 2014 national conference report with the aim of implementing it, even as the Christian body calls on the federal government to overhaul the security architecture of the country and inject personnel with fresh ideas that can address all security problems.
“We call on the government to revisit the 2014 National Conference Report with a view to using it to address some problems militating against the peace and unity of the country. We don’t need another conference if there is a political will to implement the report. It should just be sent to the National Assemblies as template to guide legislative process of better repositioning of Nigeria.
“Our economy is in shambles and the Naira has been devalued beyond recognition while the masses are at the receiving end. The cost of living has gone beyond the reach of many Nigerians; our youths are becoming increasingly vulnerable to criminality in the absence of gainful employments or job opportunities. None of our refineries is functioning to its maximum level.
“Today, our security agencies are battling terrorists in the Northeast, herdsmen killers in the Northcentral, bandits in the Northwest and kidnappers and other criminals in virtually every state of the Federation. Herdsmen are ramping the Middle- belt and the South. We have never had it this bad as we had it in the last ten years. It is disheartening to read in the print media that some governors are literally begging criminals to stop their attacks because they have no answer to stop them. Nigerians abroad are not happy with the horrendous conditions at home.
“There is an urgent need to reduce the cost of governance if our governments are sincere in fixing the economic problems. If it is too late to return to the Parliamentary system, then, we should practise a Presidential system that will not be as expensive as the one we are practising. We may borrow a leaf from Ghana and France in doing this. Why should we be running a system that drains our meagre resources? CAN asked.
The association however commended the government on the fight against Covid-19, especially the Presidential Task Force on Covid- 19, headed by Mr. Boss Mustapha for the great effort they put in to flattening the curve of the pandemic, while urging the team not to relent in its oar until the pandemic disappears in the country.
Although the nation is faced with myriad of challenges, CAN is optimistic that Nigeria can be greater with right attitude from the leaders and the governed.
“The leadership of CAN is fully persuaded that we can still get to where we ought to be if we resolve to fix all these problems, once and for all. We believe, with the right attitude from both those who are in the position of leadership of our three tiers of government and the led, coupled with God helping us, our tomorrow in Nigeria shall be greater than today. However, it is imperative to all Nigerians, irrespective of our political, religious and ethnic affiliations, to fear God to love our nation and love one another”, CAN enthused.
