2023: Forum distances self from APC Muslim -Muslim Presidential ticket.

*Advises Christians to vote their conscience, not money.

Ahead of 2023 general elections taking place a few months from now, The Christian Elders and Fathers Forum of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom state has distanced itself from All Progressive Congress Muslim -Muslim presidential ticket.

The chairman, Rev. Dr. Effiong Isangedighi made the position of the forum with regards to the matter known at the 2022 annual conference of the forum which took place on Friday last week.

The annual conference which was second in the series was held at Christ Believers Evangelical Mission located in the heart of Uyo, the happening capital of Akwa Ibom state.

Speaking further, the former national treasurer of Assemblies of God, said those Christians who endorse the arrangement have done so in error because the ticket has negated the concept of religious tolerance which this administration at the federal has been preaching but not doing, adding if allowed to sustain will relegate Christianity to the background as a second class religion in Nigeria, may God forbid.

“It’s an error for Muslim – Muslim ticket to sell and for any Christian to support it because if that is done it means Christianity is written off. Nigeria is not only a Muslim country”.

Back to Akwa Ibom state, Isangedighi expressed support of the forum to the completion agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel, describing his performance as scintillating but added that before exiting office the Governor should ensure that his legacy of Impact is evenly distributed to all nukes and crannies of the state for every citizen to feel a sense of belonging.

On Pastor Umo Eno, the People democratic party gubernatorial candidate for the forthcoming elections, the clergyman said himself as a person and perhaps other members of the forum like the person of Umo Eno as a believer and a core Christian and are strongly behind his course, and therefore urged members to acquire their permanent voter cards to enable them exercise their civic franchise.

He used the opportunity once again to clear the air on their relationship with ‘the Fathers in Faith and the fathers of faith,’ saying that the forum maintains a very cordial relationship with the duo. But added: “as a group of Christian Elders and Fathers our main thrust is to intercede in prayers for the wellbeing of Christians across the state and Nigeria at large.

“Fathers of faith and fathers in faith are trying their best to put things in place for good governance. They are doing a good work , we don’t condemn them but let’s put the record straight, we are not the same.”

“We meet every month at the same venue to pray because the condition this country is now needs more prayer.

“But we hold annual conference once a year where erudite speakers and men of God are invited to keep members of the forum abreast of undercurrent issues in the kingdom and beyond.”

In this year’s annual conference with the theme, the concept of result oriented leadership, three resource persons namely, Rt. Rev. Prince ASUKWO Antai, SYLVANUS Ukafia and Bishop Ekereobong Moses spoke on various topics: The Church and Nation building, Leadership in fulfilling purpose and Divine principles for success in ministry respectively.

Corroborating the position of the forum on A P C Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, Rt.Rev Antai queried why power should return to Muslims and the North again in a violent contradiction of rotation principles in a country of multi ethnicity and multi religion.

“Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket of APC should not be glossed over. Neither should back back succession agenda to presidency by another Hausa-Fulani Muslim of PDP be taken lightly.

Why should power return to the North in a violent contradiction to the rotation principles?.

“The church, through her organs like CAN and affiliate blocs should educate the faithful on the danger of such arrangement in a multi ethnic and multi religious country, irrespective of party loyalty. The church must rise to the occasion and resist any arrangement that will jeopardize our future, peace and development of the nation.”

Apart from Antai the paper by the other two presenters dwells strictly on religion.