Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has called on religious leaders in the country not to relent in promoting interfaith unity and to work towards the betterment of Nigeria in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
Bello stated this at the formal inauguration of the new Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, Most Rev Bulus Dauwa Yohanna and other executive members on Tuesday in Minna.
Bishop Yohanna, it would be recalled, emerged Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter and took over from Dr. Mathias Echioda who served out his two terms tenure which started in 2016.
The Governor who spoke through the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Nasara Danmallam, explained that the state government will work closely with religious leaders in the state to promote unity.
According to him,” we have been working closely with the two major religions in the state and we will continue to sustain that relationship”.
Bello then assured the new CAN leadership of a robust relationship while urging the members on the need to continue to promote interfaith unity and to push for the betterment of Nigeria.
The new state CAN chairman, Bishop Yohanna earlier in his acceptance speech, advised Christian leaders to encourage their members to collect their PVCs.
He said, “we have all registered, now it is the time to collect the PVCs so that we can all exercise our franchise”.
“It is time to vote for credible leaders if we must enjoy peace and tranquillity in our state, we must all be ready to vote for credible leaders. Make sure you play an active part in the forthcoming elections.”
He also pledged to defend Christians’ rights and to work with other faith groups to promote peace in the state.
While decrying the state of insecurity in parts of the state, he appealed to the State Governor to act fast in tackling the menace
The state CAN leader then called on the Federal and State Governments to intensify efforts in bringing the challenges of insecurity to a permanent stop.
The new Niger State CAN executives were inaugurated by the North Central CAN Chairman Rev Israel Akanji represented by the North Central Secretary, Rev Dr Danjuma Byang.
Other members of the Exco include Ezekiel Ojo, Deputy Chairman; Pastor Raphael Opawoye, Secretary; Very Reverend Goodseed Ekelema, Assistant Secretary; and Oyashowo Oyeye to serve as Treasurer.