Uyo, 29 October, 2022 / 8:40 pm (ACI Africa).
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo in Nigeria has cautioned politicians against violence and hate speech during campaigns ahead of the country’s February 2023 general elections.
Speaking at the 8th Biennial National Convention of the Catholic Social Forum of Nigeria in Abuja on October 22, Bishop John Ebebe Ayah said, “It was necessary to ensure the emergence of credible leaders in the country”.
“Christians and all Nigerians should be civil in conduct as campaigns for the 2023 general elections are ongoing,” Bishop Ayah further said, and added, “Nigerians, including politicians, must guard against violence and hate speech during the campaigns.”
In his speech during the convention, which the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria organized under the theme, “The lay faithful in Nigeria democratic experience: The journey so far”, the Catholic Bishop said, “Nigerians were determined more than ever to vote for candidates of their choice.”
“I don’t see voter apathy this season, for what I see compared to the previous years, I anticipate a lot more people,” the 62-year-old Nigerian Catholic Bishop who has been at the helm of Uyo Diocese since July 2014 said.