CHRISTIANS IN ABIA ADVISE TO ALWAYS BE A GOOD AMBASSADOR OF CHRIST AND THAT OF THE CHURCH
BY BENJAMIN KALU, UMUAHIA.
The Abia State Church Leaders, during a press conference in Umuahia, appealed to the INEC staff- both permanent staff and the ad-hoc staff, to resist any temptation, that will make them to start receiving bribe or gratification from any group, individual or who ever, towards manipulating results, or changing another person mandate, to another, as that will not go well with the state. Advising them to ensure that the right things are done.
They charged all the faithful Christians in the State and in Nigeria generally to be a good ambassador of Christ and that of the church, appealing to them, to continue hoping on God, in any situations they find themselves, even as they are getting ready for the March 18th Governorship and State Assembly election.
Responding to some questions, the Most Rev (Dr) Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, TFSG, DOB, JP, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, who was the host, urged all the Abia residents to be law abiding and make sure, they do the right things at all times while exercising their franchise, on March 18th Governorship and State Assembly elections
In a statement signed by the representatives of the ABIA State Church Leaders, on Monday the 6th march, 2023, titled Abians, Arise And Take Your Political Destiny In Your Hand, advising all Abians to participate in the 2023 general elections, saying that they were constrained, to address the public again, following their subsequent observations, and some unfolding events in Nigeria politics, particularly in Abia state. They encouraged all Abians, to go out on Saturday the 18th of March, and exercise their franchise, and ensure that, they vote the candidates of their choice, resist any influence against the candidates of their choice, and shun every pressure to sell their votes, and to distance themselves from all forms of electoral violence and thuggery during and after the election, and also to ensure that their votes counts, and also appealed to the youths, to remain peaceful during and after the elections, and also to be vigilant and prayerful.
They called on all Abians, for an urgent prayers and fasting in the State, for a peaceful, free and fair Governorship and House of Assembly elections, stating that the period of every general elections is always a challenge to them, as they see their civic and political responsibilities through the eyes of faith, and to work hard, for ensuring that only the people with competency and integrity, are elected. The people who share the common values and vision of others, saying it is an essential task, which every generation of Christians in the State, must take up anew.
Among those that were present during the press conference, were the State CAN Chairman, Apostle Dr Emmanuel Agomoh, Most Rev Dr Isaac Chijioke Nwaobia, Aba Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican), Bishop Chikezie Elekwe, Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN) Abia State Chapter, include Most Rev Dr Uma A Onwunta, the Past Principal Clerk of General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria and President African Communion of Reformed Churches (ACRC), include so many other Bishops in Abia State.
