Anglican bishop warns politicians over money politics, imposition

Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Timothy Yahaya, has criticised money politics and imposition of candidates on the electorate by the political class, insisting that it is against the tenets of democracy.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible elections in 2023, to preserve the nation’s democracy, while appealing to other key actors in the electoral process to play according to the rules, as the majority determines a winner.

In a message to the nation during the second session of the 22nd Anglican Synod of the Communion, yesterday, at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the cleric, however, expressed hope that the socio-economic woes befalling the nation would be over in 2023.

His words: “Today, we see naira and dollar rains because the election is at the corner. Is it democracy for sale? The people’s money is used to buy positions in our country. You mean the entire security agencies in this country cannot trace where these monies are got from, and people brought to book? Are we just going to fold our arms and let it go this way?

“There is only one seat in Aso Rock; not 10. We call on INEC to follow every word of the Electoral Act, to be seen to be independent, to be free and fair to conduct a credible election where everybody will be happy.”

According to him, in Nigeria, some cabals decide who becomes a leader, adding that Nigerians are getting wiser.

He called on Nigerians to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) but warned: “Don’t vote religion, tribe or mediocrity. Whoever you are going to vote for, ask yourself what he has done for Nigeria. Find out his antecedents before voting for him. If anybody says he is going to give you clothes, look at the one he is wearing. It is our prayer that by 2023 our tales of woe as a nation will be over.

“We should not lose hope because God is still on the throne. Because we are human, we tend to think that everything has given way. We encourage Nigerians that God is still on the throne.”

He argued that the country has money to solve its problems, but those in authority kept acting to the contrary.

“Government is saying loudly that we don’t have money when billions of naira and dollars are carted away. People who are supposed to safeguard this country are failing the country.

“For God’s sake, in Nigeria, we are religious but godless. If we have God in our hearts, we will not be doing what we are doing. We read the holy books, we go to places of worship, but we don’t have a conscience. Our religious leaders should be careful. They contribute to the problems of this country. I call on religious leaders to fear God and be agents of peace and change. If they see wrong, let them call it wrong, no matter whose ox is gored.”