Politics
CAN Urges Christian Participation In Politics
The River State Christian Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt, under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), has urged Christians to participate actively in the electoral process as part of their civic responsibilities in the society.
The advice was given during a one-day voters sensitisation and education programme organised by the apex Christian leadership body in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Delivering his welcome address, the Chairman, Rivers State Ecumenical Centre, Rev Dan Obinna said the programme was to “educate the public, including the church, on the need to exercise our civic responsibilities with understanding and knowledge”.
He said CAN was deeply concerned about the apathy of the citizenry, especially christians, in politics due to “ignorance, misconceptions and misinformation from some quarters,”.
He noted that CAN as a body has it as a social responsibility to sensitise and educate the public on social, political, moral issues among others.
Speaking at the event, the Resident Electoral Commission or (REC) in Rivers State, Obo Efangha, expressed concern over the growing incidents of electoral violence, in Rivers State, as characterised by the Port Harcourt Constituency III bye election.
Assuring the conduct of free, credible and fair election in the state, the REC called on stakeholders, such as security agencies and the political parties, not to heat up the polity but play their roles in line with constitutional provisions.
The INEC boss expressed regret that INEC officials have become the target of electoral violence, noting that many of the staff, in Rivers State were attacked during the said re-run polls.
He commended CAN for the initiative and called on other stakeholders to join hands in the sensitization of the public against electoral violence.
On his part, the Director of the Rivers State Orientation Agency (NOA), in Rivers State, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom, said the prevalence of election violence and other political vices were a result of the non-challant attitudes of church and Christians in general.
“Most religious leaders glorify politician rather than scolding them against their excess,” he said, and called for a concerted effort on the part of critical stakeholders towards addressing the issues.
Also Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed said the police was poised towards creating a conducive environment for voters to exercise their civic responsibilities through voting candidates of their choice.
The Commssioner warned police officers against any involvement in electoral crimes, noting that only assigned officers would be allowed to participate in the conduct of elections.
Taneh Beemene &Isioma Robinson
He predicted that before the next election cycle, Abia’s political landscape would witness broken alliances, surprising mergers, and new contenders emerging from within established networks.
Prophet Arogun concluded with a broader appeal to Nigeria’s political leaders, emphasizing the need for justice, peace, and integrity in public governance.
“Nigeria is the assignment. Only righteousness will stabilize this nation. Only fairness will preserve the mandate. Let those who have ears hear”, he said softly.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
