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2023: Lagos APC-PCC engages Christians for support
By Ibrahim Adeleke
The All Progressive Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC), Lagos State chapter, has engaged the Christian leaders in the state to sensitize them on the need for them to support the party during the 2023 general elections.
The Directorate of Religion Affairs of the council, yesterday, gathered the members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State to explain to them the reason why they should support the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The party also sought their support for the reelection of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other APC candidates.
The parley held on the premises of Lagos State television, on Thursday had in attendance leaders of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and its five blocs, 57 Coordinators at the local level, as well as religious Non-Governmental Organizations.
According the Director General, Lagos APC-PCC Directorate of Religion Affairs, Chief Oyinlomo Danmole, the meeting was in furtherance of its task to meet with the religion leaders in order to secure their support and votes for the party’s candidates.
Danmole, who is the former Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, said: “The assignment given to us is to sensitize and engage the Christian and Muslim communities to call for their supports. What we are doing today is the starting point. We have series of other meetings. But before we go further, the first is to talk to the leadership. The CAN Leaders, bloc leaders, the local government coordinators and the NGOs.”
He added that the party is confident of their support but the meeting was also pertinent to ensure that Lagos is not distracted with national issues especially the Muslim-Muslim Sentiment.
“We know from the meeting of today that they (Christian Leaders) are happy that we have not taken them for granted. Though we know In Lagos whether you’re Christian or Muslim, everyone believes in APC but the problem we have is that the national is trying to distract the people of Lagos and one thing we are sure of is to tell our people to talk to ourselves that the man whom we are trying to work for – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu – was the governor of Lagos in 1999 who laid the good foundation for the good governance we are all enjoying in Lagos today. He did the blueprint for 20 years and that is what every governor that comes in is following as you too can see what’s going on in Lagos.”
He stated that the engagement will be taken to the grassroots to get closer to the people at the lower cadre of the community, added that the Muslim community as well as the traditional leaders will not be left out in the parley.
The Party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, assured the Christian Leaders that the party will sustain the robust relationship with the religion community and keep up with its track record of good governance when elected.
Ojelabi who was represented by the Vice Chairman, East, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, urged the religious leaders to spread the gospel of Tinubu and other APC candidates’ aspiration to their members and see to the party’s victory in 2023.
Also speaking, the former Lagos Commissioner for Public Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, disabused the minds of the Christians of the religious sentiments, reiterating that Tinubu and Shetima do not discriminate.
He said: “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as an individual, in combination with Kashim Shettima represents what Nigeria needs. What we need at this time is not whether somebody is a Muslim or Christian but somebody to deliver Nigeria. Somebody to deliver good governance and bring out to spotlight things that will make us realise that we are one.
“Tinubu has demonstrated that religion though important to build souls and minds, should not be the determining factor in the way he will run the government. I mean it should not be a discriminatory issue.”
Responding, the CAN Chairman, Bishop Dr. Stephen Adegbite, confirmed that APC is the first of all political parties in the 2023 race to engage the religious body as it commended the party for the sense of belonging.
Adegbite explained that the state chapter of the religious body is not concerned with the religious sentiment rather the track records of the candidates in the presidential race.
“Whether you’re a Christian or a Muslim we want good governance we don’t mind whoever occupies the office. Let there be good governance in Nigeria. Let us look into people’s track record, what they’ve done in the past. What they will do if they are given bigger opportunity and that is why for us in Lagos State the last 23 years have been wonderful. It’s been devoid of sentiment. People that have worked in the state house have delivered. We can see the dividend of democracy in Lagos.
“Let us focus on good governance and forget about sentiment. Whether you’re Christian or a Muslim you must ensure that you deliver the dividend of democracy this time around. That is what we are up for an whoever emerges must do that for us if not we will come back to press, we will criticize and if you so well, we will praise too and pray for you.”
He added that the religious leaders will not fail in their primary duties of praying for the country as he warned false prophets against evil predictions, saying none will come to past.
Meanwhile, the members of the Association demanded good governance, better welfare package, infrastructures, improved security, job creation and others from the incoming Nigerian president.
