2023: CAN releases guidelines for voting presidential candidate, others
… Says Muslim-Muslim, Christian-Christian candidate unacceptable
By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has released what it described as police guidelines on the 2023 general election produced by the Politics and Strategy Committee of the Association in August 2022.
CAN policy guidelines on the 2023 general elections circulated the various Christians bodies across the country on Monday stipulated that “The Church in Nigeria is emphatic that the emergence of the President of Nigeria through the 2023 General elections would be a make or mar development for the Church, and should not be based simply on party affiliation, ethnic or regional considerations.”
According to the statement, the fundamental basis for consideration should be an objective assessment of the candidates based three core standards to measure including Character, Competence, and Capacity.
CAN also lists the fundamentals upon which each candidate should be judged.
“CANDIDATE! Below is a summary of our shared Core Values, which should guide the consideration of which of the Presidential Candidate and indeed all Candidates for the elections to be voted for.
“These should include, but limited to the following: These are the fundamentals upon which each candidate should be judged.
“i. Character: Fear of God; Integrity (honesty, truthfulness, etc.); Accountability and Transparency; Selflessness; Respect for Rule of Law; Value for Human Life; Sense of Fairness and Justice for All; Respect for Diversity (religious plurality and ethnic diversity); Ability to Sacrifice for the Common Good; Personal Discipline; Compassion; Trustworthiness.
“ii. Competence: Track Record (performance in previous positions held); Academic Qualification (crucial for current global realities); Effective Representation of the Country to the Outside World; Promotion of the Nation’s Image Globally; Leadership Quality (quickness to grasp issues and respond appropriately).
“iii. Capacity: Ability to envision Transformation; Ability to Communicate the Vision to diverse peoples; Ability to effectively execute the Vision of Transformation; Good Health, Sound Mind and Physical Fitness for the Job; and Exemplary Leadership”, it stated.
It added that, “We should also assess the Candidate’s stand on the following issues:
“i. State Police
- The Religious neutrality of the Nigerian State
iii. Muslim-Muslim, or Christian-Christian Candidate is NOT acceptable!.
- Enforcement of the Fundamental Rights of All Nigerians.
“v. Implementation of Restructuring Devolution of powers to decentralize Governance
- Equitable and Enforceable sharing of Executive Offices
vii. Equal Ethnic and Religious representation in Military and Security agencies.
viii. Self Determination for all Nigerian people.
“ix. No to RUGA, yes to Ranching; No Open grazing (rather Modernization of Animal Husbandry).
- Qualitative Education and Free Healthcare to all Nigerians (Including Almajiris).
- Enforcement of Federal Character in all Public Institutions
xii. Natural Resources (including Water Resources) to belong to those that own the Land.”
