Ahead of the 2027 general election, a non-governmental, and non-profit faith-based organisation, the Christian Northern Nigeria Political Forum, has urged fellow Christians in Nasarawa State, and the entire Northern states in Nigeria to fully participate in the electoral processes.
According to the non-denominational group, the call also aims to ensure that more Christians occupy leadership positions.
The Nasarawa State Coordinator of the CNNPF, Promise Ezekiel gave the charge in the Akwanga Local Government Area of the state on Saturday during the state’s first conference tagged “Christian Participation In Politics: A Panacea for The Empowerment of Women and Youth in Northern Nigeria.”
Ezekiel noted that apart from raising awareness for Christians’ participation in politics, the event was also meant for fundraising for the purchase of an 18-seater bus for the state’s executives to enable them easily reach more towns and communities over the awareness campaign.
While noting that the group will also endorse and support reliable and credible Muslim candidates during the 2027 general elections, the CNNPF State’s Coordinator emphasised that the residents should take their voting rights very seriously in order to ensure the rapid development of their respective communities, the state and country at large.
He stressed, “I want to use this opportunity to urge Christians in Nasarawa State and the entire 19 Northern states to be more serious in their level of participation in politics and governance.
“The CNNPF is a non-governmental, non-denominational, and non-profit faith-based organisation. Our aim is to support credible candidates who will be able to contribute positively to the growth and development of our dear state and country.
“As Christians, we should not stay outside of politics and be castigating those who are participating. It is only when we get involved that we will be able to make the necessary changes that will move our nation to greater heights.”
On his part, a popular businessman in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District of the state, Tony Bala-Shammah, while calling on Christians, especially the women and youths to take politics very seriously, urged them to vote only credible candidates, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds during the 2027 general elections.
He described the conference as timely and essential for the promotion of good governance, adding that citizens’ participation in electoral processes remains a sure way to get politicians to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people after being elected into office.
He further made his donation for the purchase of the 18-seater bus for the CNNPF Nasarawa State executives to enable them easily go round the state for the enlightenment programme, and assured the association of his support at all times.
Earlier in his remark, the National President of the association, Barau Mohammed, while declaring the conference open, emphasised the need for Christians to not only vote during elections but also seek elective positions.
Mohammed, represented by the Executive Secretary of the association, Iliya Ishaya pointed out the objectives of the association to include: the mobilisation of Christians to get involved in politics; To sponsor Christian candidates into political positions; To adopt credible and God-fearing candidates irrespective of their religious, ethnic and political affiliations; to partner other religious organisations and non-governmental Organisations, among others.
He maintained, “What we are saying is that Christians in Northern Nigeria should develop interest in politics and governance. We are not discriminating against other religions because we are all Nigerians with a common purpose to move the nation forward to greater heights.
“However, we have observed that most Christians in the North are mostly not bothered about the electioneering processes, and that is what we are trying to address. They should develop interest in it and elect good leaders of their choice to positions of authority.”
The CNNPF National President while commending the Nasarawa State Coordinator of the association, Promise Ezekiel, and members of the state’s executive council for their untiring efforts towards enlightening Christians in the state on the need to be politically conscious, assured of the group’s commitment to ensure that the misconceptions about politics and governance in the minds of many Northern Christians are erased.
Akelicious reports that representatives of the various political leaders, youth, women groups in the state, and leaders of the association from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Taraba, Katsina States, among other dignitaries attended the CNNPF conference in the Akwanga LGA of the state.
