From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
As Nigerians celebrate the New Year, the Bishop of Anglican Communion Kaduna Diocese, Rt. Rev. Timothy Yahaya has called for National, moral rebirth, and attitudinal change across the board for the country to progress and develop.
Speaking while delivering his New Year message at the Cathedral of St Michael Anglican Church, Kaduna on Sunday, Reverend Yahaya tasked Nigerians to eschew religious and ethnic sentiments and vote for leaders who posses required qualities to lead the country out of the security and economic challenges bedeviling it into era of progress and development during the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
“The rate at which our nation is going, there is a need for national rebirth. Morality is down, sincerity is absent, life is worthless, ritual money, ritual killings all over the place. The tomato seller, the groundnut seller is not spared, everybody should come on board. We must reconsider our way to rebirth the nation. Everybody needs to be patriotic, nationalistic, we need to defend Nigeria to make Nigeria work.
“Because we are calling for national rebirth, the forthcoming general election should be peaceful and credible. National rebirth is all inclusive, politicians must play a game of unifying the country so that it would not be a mere geographical expression as our forefathers say. When a leader comes to campaign to vote, we look at ethnicity and religion, instead of looking at the quality of the leader and voting credible candidates.
“ We should disregard message of division and embrace message of unity. Except we are united, this country would not go far. We must disregard division.”
Speaking on the various attacks on INEC offices nationwide and their impacts on the 2023 general elections, Reverend Yahaya said security agents should have taken severe actions to nip it in the bud long ago. “Vandalism of INEC offices started a long time ago, where is the security? The Even INEC chairman had to call on the Federal Government for security. We don’t need that call. I pray these are not the detractors of our democracy or people who want to pull our country down. Burning down INEC offices would not change the result of the elections.
“I call on Nigerians not to sell their votes. Your votes speak for another four years. Whoever sells his vote is worthless. How much would they sell you as an individual? Money is not everything, they are not buying your vote, they are insulting you.
“For those under bandits’ captivity, we are saddened by their situation. Our security must be on top of their game. No area should be said to be difficult. We should use technology to cater for all. “
