Cleric Tasks Christian Faithful On Political Participation

The Primate of Anglican Church of All Nigeria, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has charged Christians and Anglican faithful to actively participate in the country’s electoral process.
This was made known at the just concluded Anglican Church of Nigeria Standing Committee meeting hosted by the Diocese of Evo in Rivers State in the Niger Delta Province.
The Primate urged Christians to register in any party of their choice and be involved in the activities of the party from the ward to the national level.
He reiterated the need for Christians to register, collect their voter’s cards and national identification numbers, as well as vote during elections, adding that Christians should no longer see politics as a dirty game, rather a process to choose national leaders that would serve the people selflessly.
The Primate noted that as Christians, obedience to the rule of law and ordering of the society is the first responsibility of believers in Christ, adding that lawlessness, indiscipline and anarchy are sins against God and are detrimental to humanity.
On the issue of paying tithe to the church and tax to leaders, he said that Jesus who is Christian’s role model fulfilled his religious and earthly responsibility by paying the two to the authorities.
He noted that these were clear facts in the scripture and are worthy of emulation, saying, “ man’s choice to go against God’s will and purpose therefore comes with consequences, thus suffering for sin, wickedness, operation and affliction”.
The Archbishop of the Anglican Communion also frowned at leaders that were not responsible, adding that Nigerians are tired of such leaders and however gave prestigious award to political leaders who have distinguished themselves in the service of their people.
One of the recipients of the prestigious award, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Minority Leader in the House of Assembly, thanked the Church for giving award to deserving personalities, adding that, “the greatest want of the world is the desire for men who will stand for the truth even when the heaven wants to fall.
Sen. Abaribe noted that it is easy for people who were elected to go there and forget why they were elected, pursuing personal gains, stressing that the only proof of good governance is the benefits of the poor masses.
He stressed that the award would spore him to do more for the people and continue to stand for what he was elected for.

By: Lilian Peters