Clerics Warn Politicians Against Violence

Religious leaders in Abuja have warned politicians against rigging and violence  and enjoined Nigerians to pray fervently for a better set of leaders as the nation prepares for the next year general election.
Both the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Abuja, Sheik Musa Muhammad and Superior Evangelist of the Celestial Church of Christ, Abuja district headquarters, Ralph Adekunmi said religious leaders  had commenced serious prayers and fasting for peace to reign in the country.
While the chief imam spoke with journalists when a non-civil society organization, Alliance for Credible Election (ACE) visited him, Adekunmi made his own remark during his church's annual harvest service with the theme: "Harvest of Divine Restoration."
The organisation visited the Imam as part of its advocacy efforts towards educating Nigerians on the need to have  peaceful and credible elections next year.
The clerics lauded the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration in the country and wished that it could be continued after the expiration of the President's tenure next year.  Adekunmi said it was surprising to have the multitude seeking the office of the president, saying Nigerians should continue to pray for  God-sent leaders to take over from the incumbents.

"Virtually half of the serving governors wanted to contest for the office of the President. Everybody want to rule even after serving eight years as governors. I think they should go for open debate," he said.
 Muhammad  advised politicians especially those seeking political offices to behave themselves at the forthcoming elections by not making politics a do-or-die affair, adding that is only God who gives power to whoever He desires.
He said that if politicians allowed their greedy nature to override national interest, which he said should include improving the people’s welfare, they would have themselves to blame in the end because they would have no other country than Nigeria.
The best way to prevent bloodshed in next year election, he said, was for politicians to shun rigging in all forms “and should remember that God would not be happy with anyone who kills his fellow human being.”
“As Muslims, we always remind our people of the day of judgment when everyone would give account of his deed on earth. Therefore, why must we fight ourselves to death because of power which can only be given by God to whoever he desires?” Muhammad also admonished the government to prepare towards elections that would be accepted worldwide, saying government could achieve the feat by allowing free choice of the people at the polls.
According to him, government should realise that Nigeria of 1970's is different from the present one whereby people are more conscious of their rights and would hate being cheated, noting that if ACE had been in place long before now it would have made better impact in the area of voters’ education.
Earlier, the General Secretary of the ACE, Mr.  Emmanuel Ezeazu thanked the chief imam for receiving his team in his office.
He said: “We are with you to appeal to you to use your position in the mosque to tell our brothers and sisters the need to be peaceful so as to have credible elections next year. We believe that religious leaders share the responsibility," he stated.