Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states have said that the country needs a leader that will unite the people and take it out of the present economic dilemma.
It asked Nigerians to reject the calls for a President on the basis of age or ethnic configuration in 2023.
Lamenting the worsening situation under President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, the group said the country simply needed a leader that could deliver the goods, unite the nation and take the citizens out of economic woes and insecurity.
Apparently alluding to the recent call by former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), for a youthful President to take over from Buhari in 2023, the Vice Chairman of CAN in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. Joseph Hayab, faulted the appeal in a statement yesterday, saying that Nigerians should demand a credible leader that would bring Nigeria out of its pitiable condition.
Hayab said: “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 country against these unhealthy moves and also to appeal to Nigerians not to allow these short-sighted and selfish considerations to becloud their reasoning.
“We have elected leaders in the past based on some of these considerations, but which only ended with regrets and lack of progress. Those who have been misleading us with these parochial views anytime elections are around the corner have started a new game which we must all resist and never give them space.”
According to the association, every citizen that truly loves this country knows that it has suffered too long.
The cleric added: “The age of whoever will become Nigeria’s 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 detribalised Nigerian, who can fight insecurity, stop corruption and make the country to move forward.”
Guardian
