The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), led by a former minister of defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd), and other elder statesmen, has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, for the February 25 election.
The forum disclosed this in a statement entitled ‘Resolutions towards 2023 elections: Think new’ issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by its chairman, Dr. Samuel Gani, and Secretary, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel.
NCEF said it settled for Obi for the sake of equity, justice, inclusiveness, and unity.
It also said reports that some regions were preparing to unleash violence during the general elections should not be taken lightly.
It therefore called on the federal government to spare no effort in preventing violence during the exercise while urging Nigerians to eschew politics of religion and tribalism.
Besides, the forum urged Nigerians to vote candidates into offices based on capacity, ability, integrity, and good health
“In view of the need to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria and the culture of corruption, incompetency, lawlessness, and impunity, which assailed the country in the past 24 years, is eradicated, NCEF encourages Nigerians to think new.
“Nigeria requires new leaders, new methods, new policies, and new political parties.
“In view of the above, for equity, justice, inclusiveness, and unity to produce the preferred future for Nigerians, the NCEF is endorsing Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the presidential candidate to be voted for.
“NCEF encourages all Nigerians of voting age to exercise their civic duty and ensure they vote for capacity, competency, integrity, and good health,” it said.
On the federal government’s demonetisation policy which has brought untold hardship to ordinary Nigerians, mostly, NCEF said: “While the policy of currency change has brought some inconvenience to the people, the long-term benefit should be appreciated.
“It is crucial that vote-buying must be prevented at all costs to prevent unqualified and incapable persons from bribing their way into power.”
Members of the NECF include Dr. Saleh Hussaini, vice chairman (north), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, vice chairman (south), Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Prof. Joseph Otubu, Dr. Kate Okpareke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd), Justice James Ogebe (rtd), and Elder Moses Ihonde.
Others are Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd.), Elder Nat Okoro, Solomon Asemota, Elder Matthew Owojaiye, DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye, Oba Dokun Thompson, and Dr. Taiwo Idemudia.
