Elect politicians on the basis of competence (CAN)

The General Secretary of Christian Association
of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and
Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Professor
Daniel Babaye, yesterday urged Nigerians to
elect politicians on the basis of competence
rather than on religious sentiments as it is
impossible to have a government completely
rooted in a particular religion.
Babaye, who spoke at a conference organised
by the Christian Awareness Initiative (CHAIN)
in Kaduna, added that any government that
fails to provide social amenities for the people
should be regarded as unserious, irrespective
of the leader’s religious inclination.
“There is nothing like a Christian government
and there will never be. It’s a fallacy for
someone to say we need a Christian
government. It has never happened, and it will
not happen because leadership comes from
God and anyone that does not do well, God will
bring him down,” Babaye said.
He added: “Everyone must participate in
bringing good leaders that will work for the
good of Nigeria. Voting based on religious
basis has only succeeded in breeding
institutions that are irresponsive. Tafawa
Balewa and Sir Ahmadu Bello were leaders that
left government without anything to show as
wealth. Today, the reverse is the case and we
must stand up to elect leaders based on
competence and not religion”.
Speaking in the same vein, former CAN
National Secretary, Engr. Samuel Salifu, called
on Christians, Muslims and the press to unite
for a better Nigeria, just as he noted that the
CHAIN programme was the beginning of a re-
awakening process for Nigerians.
Salifu expressed dismay that there are so
many criminals hiding under the cloak of
religion adding, “If Nigeria doesn’t want to
experience what is happening in Somalia, we
must sit and talk. Candidates standing
elections should not be judged by their
religious affiliations. Anyone that has promised
without fulfilment should not be allowed to
govern because many children have graduated
six to seven years without jobs”.
Chief Executive of CHAIN, Rev John Joseph
Hayab said the seminar was organised to
create awareness having realized the
introduction of a bad dimension in Nigerian
politics.