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Fashola stresses antecedents as CAN engages 2023 presidential candidates

By Nkechi Onyedika-Ugoeze and Ameh Ochojila, Abuja
16 November 2022   |   4:03 am
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has advised Nigerians to scrutinise past performances of political gladiators for better presidential choice in 2023.

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has advised Nigerians to scrutinise past performances of political gladiators for better presidential choice in 2023.

Speaking as guest lecturer at the 2022 lecture and public presentation of the book, “Azinge: Born to Serve,” a biography of renowned Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Epiphany Azinge organised by Epiphany Azinge Foundation in Abuja, Fashola stressed that today’s leadership required special skills and values as against the time past when physical strengths and vigours were all needed.

Delivering a presentation on “Leadership and service to humanity,” he noted that all the frontline presidential candidates had, at one time, held political posts, and therefore, would be ideal for Nigerians to review what they did while in office.

“I urge Nigerians to make their choice of a candidate from the presidential frontliners by critically assessing the impact of their past performances and responsibilities while in office,” the minister restated.

This comes as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) began engaging the candidates on their vision for Nigeria.

First day of the parley featured standard-bearer of the Action Alliance (AA), Hamza Al-Mustapha, who declared that the most populous black nation was in an unusual situation and, as such, needed only an unusual President to salvage the “pitiable state.”

He stated that the economy was being “sabotaged, as nobody knows the quantity of oil produced in the country daily.”

Al-Mustapha charged Nigerians to oppose rigging, while not losing sight of a sterling personality to lead them from 2023.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, submitted that “it is no longer time to lament, as the forthcoming general elections provide auspicious opportunity for Nigerians to participate actively in the political process to change fortunes of the country for good.”

Stating that the conversation by the religious body was to recruit the best hand for the topmost job in the land, Okoh added: “Our interest is that all candidates clearly understand the concerns of Nigerian Christians and propose policy and programme to address those concerns. We believe that with this kind of respectful and sincere conversation, we will find lasting solutions to these crises.”

He said CAN had consulted with Nigerians of diverse religious, ethnic and social identities on problems confronting the country, with solutions articulated in the strategic document named “Charter for Future Nigeria.”

The roadmap, he observed, begins with diagnosis of Nigeria’s challenges, situated primarily around an incoherent constitutional and institutional framework that defines governance, as well social and economic interactions in the country.

He said: “This incoherence is the main reason that the country, today, is almost submerged in the chaos of insecurity, instability and economic stagnation. The document considers this incoherence in political, social and economic dimensions.”

The CAN leader explained that the document made genuine recommendations for resolving Nigeria’s conundrum that borders on justice and fairness, equity, economic and social rights, political freedom and quest for an egalitarian and just social order.

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