The Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Yohanna, has urged Christians in the state to vote and be voted for in the November local government elections.
The chairman, who also doubles as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, made the call in a statement where he urged the residents of the state to shun voter apathy, saying it is not a good sign of the process.
Thus, he urged eligible voters who have registered to get their Permanent Voter’s Card from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office and ensure that they exercise their franchise.
“The 2025 local government elections is around the corner, I want to appeal to those who are yet to collect their PVCs to quickly collect their to avoid unnecessary rush and to regret in the future,” he said.
The Bishop also appealed to the Christian faithful to participate actively in all the electoral processes, stressing that it was their civic right.
“I call on all residents to participate in the November 1, Chairmanship and Councillorship elections.
“Let it be known that we are the determinants of who leads us at the local and grassroots levels. As Christians, we must participate actively in politics, either as members of political parties or as electorates.
“To avoid voter apathy, let us come out en masse and vote in the people of our choice into various offices,” Yohanna said.
He admonished political parties to field candidates who would provide basic amenities and meet the yearnings of the people.
Furthermore, he called on leaders both at the State and LGA level, as well as leaders/heads of churches to call on their members not to sit on the fence but to participate actively and ignore statements like “Votes do not count”.
The bishop also called on security personnel to discharge their duties, with the fear of God and appealed to Nigerlites to conduct themselves peacefully during and after the elections and avoid any acts that will bring about break down of law and order in the state.
The Bishop equally admonished INEC to publish and announce PVCs collection centres to enable those who registered online to pick up their cards.
