The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna state chapter, Rev. John Joseph Hayab has picked holes in the ongoing campaign, asking Nigerians to choose the next president and other political officers in the next political dispensation on the basis of age and region.
Hayab also cautioned the electorate against playing the country and themselves into the hands of selfish politicians ahead of the 2023 polls.
Speaking in reaction to campaigns in favour of the age and region of the incoming president, the clergy man who decried the thought and suggestion, warned Nigerians to “disregard those particularly the age and section of the country where the next Nigerian president must come from” and advised them to make their choice based on their knowledge of the candidates in the race.
In a statement he issued to this effect on Monday, he argued that from experience, “what Nigeria requires today is a leader that can deliver the goods, unite the nation and take it out of the current security and economic challenges.”
Thus, “Nigeria’s Next President is not about Age or Region but I repeat Nigerians today simply need a leader that can deliver the goods, unite the nation and take us out of our economic woes and security challenges.
“Those coming out to talk about the age and region of our next President are only out to start an agenda that will further divide us and put Nigeria in a more difficult situation.
“Our Association, therefore, wishes to warn the Nation against these unhealthy moves and also to appeal to Nigerians not to allow these short-sighted and selfish considerations to becloud our reasoning.
“We have elected leaders in the past because of some of these considerations but only ends with regrets and lack of progress. Those who have been misleading us with these parochial views anytime elections are around the corners have started a new game which we must all resist and never give them space.
“How long should we allow our country to be dancing back and forth when looking for a genuine leder. Every citizen that truly loves this country knows that we have suffered too long and need to shine our eyes.
“The age of whoever will become Nigeria leader should never be an issue for debate because Nigerians must never allow anyone that does not have good leadership credentials and capacity to be her leader just because he is young or old but our concern should be for us all to look for a good and detribalize Nigerian who can fight insecurity, stop corruption and make the country to move forward”, CAN Chairman declared.
