2023.: CAN advocates for a Christian president

The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) recommended on Saturday that the country’s next President be a Christian to ensure balance in the country’s leadership.

Additionally, YOWICAN stated that rotating the presidency would promote equity, unity, and peace.

This was revealed during Saturday’s NEC meeting at the National Christian Centre.

National Executive Members, Zonal Leaders, State Leaders (drawn from the federation’s 36 states plus the FCT) and representatives from CAN’s blocs/denominations attended the meeting.

It urged bandits and kidnappers to renounce evil and put an end to ongoing kidnappings and murders.

Additionally, the Christian association pledged to work with Muslims and the Nigeria Interreligious Council (NIREC) on peacebuilding.

This was stated in a communique issued following the conclusion of YOWICAN’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and read by the organization’s National Chairman, Belusochukwu Enwere.

Enwere stated, “As such, the election of a Christian president in 2023 will be a true expression of Nigeria’s equity and justice.” The next president, who should take office in 2023, should be a Christian, as the current administration’s president is a Muslim, and thus the president should rotate between Christians and Muslims to ensure that Nigeria’s leadership is balanced. We have capable Christian leaders who are capable of representing and managing the country’s affairs. We encourage our leaders to engage fully in politics in order to produce a good president for Nigeria.

“That the current leadership of YOWICAN pledges her undying loyalty and solidarity to the deserving leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) under the capable leadership of His Eminence, Rev. Dr. Samson Supo Ayokunle (NIREC).

“YOWICAN laments the rising rate of insecurity in Nigeria, but applauds the government’s and security agencies’ efforts to combat the nefarious activities of bandits, killer herdsmen, and insurgents, among others.

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“YOWICAN, in carrying out Christian tenets and faith, strongly believes in peaceful coexistence; however, this piety should not be interpreted as cowardice; thus, kidnappers, bandits, killer herdsmen, terrorists, and unknown gunmen should not push Christian youths to the point of considering self-defence strategies as a last resort.

“Despite the progress made thus far in combating crime, YOWICAN observes an urgent need to halt the rising tide of attacks, killings, and destruction of innocent citizens’ lives, properties, farmlands, and livelihoods in Northern states, particularly in Christian communities in Southern Kaduna.”

The CAN youth demanded the immediate release of all abductees, particularly those held captive at Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna State.

“YOWICAN demands the immediate release of all abductees, particularly the students of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna State. We call on both the Federal and Kaduna State governments to expedite their release.”