The Catholic Bishop who will turn 59 years on February 18 further says that the principles of protecting the family and dignity of work need to be considered when choosing among political candidates.
Other qualities that need to be considered are “the call to community and participation; the centrality of the family; the dignity of work and rights of workers, the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, and the commitment to stewardship of the environment," Bishop Gobal says.
He urges the Nigerian electorate to be mindful of who they vote for the office because the “qualities of our leaders are often a reflection of our qualities as a people” and “our public officials symbolize the values of the people who elect them.”
The Catholic Church leader who has been at the helm of Nigeria’s Pankshin Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in June 2014 adds, “A crooked people will vote crooked candidates into office. A God-fearing people will vote for God-fearing candidates.”
He says that Nigeria is experiencing bad leadership because the people tolerated political candidates in previous election periods.
Voting is very essential and Christians must take the process seriously and participate in it for good leaders, Bishop Gobal says, adding failure to participate in voting comes with consequences that might “bring catastrophic results to the nation.”
“For us Christians, it is a great mistake to shun this collective responsibility. All Christians who have reached voting age should participate in electing leaders who have the necessary qualities,” he emphasizes.
He continues, “It should be understood that the neglect of participating in the voting and in the election of good leaders allow unworthy candidates to take leadership positions.”
Besides being a constitutional right to vote, Bishop Gobal says that voting is “a responsibility given by God for the proper exercise of human rights and freedom in order to establish a good government.”
Those who withdraw from their civic duty of voting “should have little right to complain about the evil consequences of the newly elected political regime installed, partly, thanks to their passive collaboration,” he says, and adds, “Our votes are an expression of our own conversion and will be decisive for our country´s future.”
