The Bishop of Diocese of Kaduna (Anglican Communion) Rt. Rev’d Dr. Timothy Yahaya has said Nigeria needs a national rebirth.
Speaking to journalists shortly before the new service at the cathedral of St. Michael, the Anglican Bishop decried the dearth of morality in Nigeria, adding that humanity has been reduced to zero and life has become a cheap commodity. He stressed that the only solution in the present circumstance is an inclusive national rebirth.
He said patriotism has become a thing of the past adding that people no longer consider things that bind us together. He lamented that people are more interested in things that divide us which makes it difficult for the nation grow.
On the forthcoming general elections, Bishop Yahaya called for a peaceful, credible and transparent election where the wishes of the masses will be allowed to prevail.
“Politicians must play by the rules of the game and engage in activities of uniting the country. Religion and ethnicity does not build a leader but it’s quality and sincerity of purpose.
“What Nigeria needs now is credible candidates who fears God and that will not play a donor die politics or politics of sentiments or regionality.
“Sentiments and regions should be done away with in our choice of who becomes our leader. Voting on regionality should be discouraged because it amounts to chasing shadows, we must be united as a Nation to move forward.
“Most of the leaders have divided us and such division is used to disenfranchised us which is a worrisome thing and should be addressed holistically.”
On the vandalization of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices, Bishop Yahaya said it is a clear proof the there is no security and if there are, that they are not proactive enough.
“ Those burning down INEC offices are distractors of our democracy who wants to pull the nation down because burning INEC offices will not fix the nation”.
To the electorates, he said, “don’t sell your votes, your votes speak for another four years.Selling your votes means you are worthless, money is not everything, votes selling and buying has put us in the condition we are in now, use your PVCs to vote competent leaders that will.bring about the real change.
“ Let me also use this medium to call on Bandits to change their ways of life, drop their guns and look for a formidable team to engage the government in dialogue for a way forward. They are also living in fears just as Nigerians are also living in fear, so genuien dialogue is the way to go.
“Dialogue is the way to go for a peaceful Coexistence. The power of gun is limited and that of reasoning is unlimited, may God heal our land and give us God fearing leaders in this election.year 2023” he prayed.
