The Christian Association of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja expressed concern over what it described as political intolerance ahead of the forthcoming general elections, saying politics was not a do-or-die affair
The association advised politicians to shun any act capable of causing violence in the country.
The President of CAN and Founder of World of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said this during a retreat organised by the National Christian Elders Forum in Abuja.
He said if truly the intention of politicians was to serve the people, they would always eschew activities capable of causing harm to others.
While urging them to play by the rules, the CAN President stressed that while election would come and go, Nigeria would continue to exist.
He said, “I am puzzled about the conducts of some politicians in the country, especially their political intolerance. Is politics not supposed to be service to the people? If you get into any political position, you should be there to serve the people.
“Therefore, if the essence is for you to serve, who are you going to serve when the people you want to serve die in the process of election? I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our politicians again that it is not a do-or-die affair.
“Let us remember that election will come and go and Nigeria will remain. So let us play the game according the rules. I appeal to your conscience and to your heart. I watch television; I see how a lot of people are being maimed and killed. Let us do what is right so that Nigeria will remain Nigeria.”
Reacting to the alleged political intolerance in the North, the CAN President maintained that it was wrong for anyone to prevent the other from identifying with any candidate of his or her choice.
For democracy to work, Oritsejafor said, individuals should have freedom to freely express their feelings or political bias without any fear of molestation.
He said, “It is very terrible, from certain parts of the North, there are people who are even afraid to identify with some candidates. Their fear is that they will be victimised. I think this kind of atmosphere is wrong. If this is a democracy, everyone should be allowed to do whatever one feels is right in one’s hearts, freely.
“Certain people have set the stage for such thinking, which is wrong. If this is a democracy, then we should not predetermine anything. It is a very terrible thing. From the reports we get especially from the North, there are people who are afraid to go around to identify with candidates of their choice because of the fear of victimisation.
“I think this is wrong. If this is democracy, everyone should be allowed to vote for any candidate of one’s choice. They should be allowed to do what they think is right from their heart.”
The Chairman of NCEF, Mr. Solomon Asemota (SAN), stressed that the meeting was called to enable Christian elders to brainstorm on the various challenges confronting the nation with a view to coming up with far reaching recommendations.
According to him, a communique arising from the meeting, will be sent to the Federal Government.