Group Cautions on Supporting Candidates on Religious Grounds

A group of Christian and Muslim leaders from the North has called on Nigerians to choose their leaders on the basis of competence and issues, rather than religious or ethnic sentiments.

At a one day conference on Religion and Good Governance, organised by Kaduna based Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria (CHAIN), participants including Christian and Muslim leaders, accused some politicians in the North of using religion as a tool to divide the common people of the region and other parts of the country for their selfish ambitions.

Convener of the conference and former Secretary General of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, Reverend Joseph Hayab, advised the citizenry to ensure the unity of the North and the country in general by not championing overzealous politicians based on religious sentiments, which was capable of destroying the corporate existence in the nation.

He urged the citizens to support quality leadership that would ensure peace, security and development, adding that the country would become better if both Muslims and Christians come together and chase away bad leaders who hide under religion or tribe to cover up their lack of performance.

As the crisis rocking the political scene rages over issues bothering on the 2015 elections, Muslim scholar, IbrahimWaziri, averred that the country will only progress if the electorate ensures that only people with sound ideologies and manifestos are elected into leadership positions and not religious bigots.

The conference was attended by Christian and Muslim leaders across the 19 Northern states, who said they will sensitise and mobilise their congregations in preparation for the 2015 elections.

The Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria was established six years ago by a group of Christian leaders in the North, to create awareness on issues of national importance among Christians, as well as promoting national unity.

Channels Television