The determination of Christians in Nigeria to get actively involved in the 2023 general election is still in force.
According to the Rivers State coordinator of the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN) Pastor (Amb) Ekiye C. Ekiye in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, “there is no going back on the course, the body is still at the consultation level.
He said however that the rate of political awareness of the Christians in Nigeria today has greatly increased.
“The interest and desires of Christians in political participation has improved tremendously. They have all been mobilized to procure their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and set to vote and be voted for”.
Pastor Ekiye made it clear that IBBN is at this point still consulting and raising competent candidates across all the political parties for all the political positions.
He added that there was no political party meant for the Christians. But that IBBN as a political pressure group would be interested to raise and support any politician with God fearing attributes that will be ready to work to secure and improve the peoples welfare “what we in the IBBN are advocating among the political parties is justice, fair play and equity in political positions as well as competence as the key focus.”
Pastor Ekiye also disclosed that the group is in touch with the leadership of all the political parties and their aspirants, monitoring events and studying their manifestoes with a view to swinging our support to one that will protect the interest of the Christians in particular most.
“Our support will be based on divine direction, vision, experience and competence of the aspirant as well as love for the people.” He further disclosed that the task is simple as most of the IBBN members are card carrying members and officials of the political parties.
The IBBN state coordinator made it clear that the aims and objectives of the group is ensuring the best of good governance for the citizens. “It is important to state here that we shall lead the process of recalling or disciplining of any elective or appointed officer(s) who derails”, he said.
Pastor Ekiye used the opportunity to congratulate the National leader of IBBN, Prophet Isa Elbuba over what he called his 40th spiritual birthday.
He also used the chance to urge the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to get involved in choosing his successor in office as according to him a successful leader is one who produces a good successor to consolidate on his achievements.”
He also used the opportunity to congratulate the governor for making up his mind to heed the clarion calls for him to contest the presidency of the country. On Rivers people and residents, Ekiye advised them to unite and be considerate in making their political choice for Wike’s successor “otherwise we may destroy our collective unity and socio-economic and political progress as a people,” he said.
On zoning of political offices or rotation, Pastor Ekiye said although it is not enshrined in the constitution, the issue should be considered for justice sake but that too competence and eligibility should be the keyword. “Ordinarily, we have the understanding and mentality of upland and riverine dichotomy, this should also be considered in our political equations,” he said.
