Same-faith tickets, whether Christian-Christian or Muslim-Muslim, will not bode well for the unity and future of Nigeria, according to Dr. Cosmos Ilechukwu, General Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.
At a news conference on the status of the country conducted on Thursday, August 19, 2022 at the PFN National Secretariat in Lagos, Ilechukwu revealed the group’s position.
He claimed that some political parties’ choice to run on the same religious platform would further jeopardise the future of the country. As a result, the Christian Association of Nigeria produced a framework as a guide for all Christians on how to cast their votes for the most qualified candidate.
Four crucial points are underlined for Christian voters to take into consideration before casting their ballots in the advice for all Christians on how to vote for the best qualified candidate, which is already integrated in a leaflet.
The areas are character, competence, capacity and policies of the candidate or party.
The statement read, “The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria reaffirms its position that the same-faith ticket can, in no way, be justified, as it is not in the interest of Nigeria, as it further jeopardises the prospects of peaceful coexistence and building of a united nation.
“PFN has never been in the business of endorsing candidates and will not be doing so in the 2023 elections. However, it will continue to mobilise the church to ensure full participation in the political process by all Christians.”
While encouraging all our members to vote in line with what is best for Nigeria and the church at all levels, with the framework prepared by the Christian Association of Nigeria as a guide.
“The fellowship will continue to be open-minded and broad-minded, leaving the door of engagement with all political parties open, so that all the issues that are holding back the development and unity of Nigeria can be comprehensively addressed.”