“Vote for a sincere, committed, dedicated leader”: Catholic Priest in Nigeria to Christian

During the October 24-28 meeting being organized under the theme, “The Imperative of Effective Evangelism Through Inclusiveness,” Fr. Duke said NCDPA members wrote to Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “for registration units and had every child of voting age registered.”

“We have also mobilized them for the Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) collection,” Fr. Duke said, adding, “It is the same measure we will adopt during the elections properly, mobilizing everyone to exercise their franchise.”

On September 28, the 18 candidates vying for Presidency in Nigeria launched their nationwide campaigns ahead of the 25 February 2023 general elections that will see the electorate in Africa’s most populous nation also vote for members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar, and former Vice President and Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, are among candidates vying for the Presidency.

The election of State Governors in the West African nation has been slated for 11 March 2023.

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In his speech during NCDPA AGM, Fr. Duke reflected on the situation of insecurity in Nigeria, saying that members of the Clergy in the West African nation will “remain undeterred and resilient in their calling as Priests”.

Also speaking during the event, the Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee for the 2022 AGM, Fr. Charles Etim, said that insecurity would not make Catholic Priests to “shy away from the duty and responsibility God has assigned to them.”

“Our Lord did not carry arms or a security guard; we believe that the Lord is there to protect us,” Fr. Etim said.

On his part, NCDPA President, Fr. John Bosco Ezehi encouraged members of the Clergy in Nigeria “to remain undaunted with the present challenges in the country.”

Fr. Ezehi called for prayers for the electorate in Africa’s most populous nation to “elect a good and responsive leader come 2023.”

On October 22, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo cautioned politicians in Nigeria 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.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.