By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central,but in Minna)
The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (YOWICAN) has made a case for religious equity in the build up to the 2023 general election, saying they would only support a government that accords equal opportunity to the two major religions; Islam and Christianity.
The Christian youths have therefore expressed their disapproval and lack of support, saying they will not vote against any political party that fields candidates or ticket of same faith, be it Christian or Moslem, for the forth-coming Governorship and the general elections.
Chairman of YOWICAN in Niger state, Hon. Loyin Danladi Emmanuel, made the declaration after an enlarged meeting of the group which took place in Minna after appraising some of the challenges Christians and non-moslems faced under previous democratic dispensations.
Flanked by Conveners and Presidents of the various Christian youth organizations from various denominations, Danladi Emmanuel reminded political actors that Niger state, like miniature Nigeria, should ensure equity and fairness for adherents of all religions.
Niger state is a miniature Nigeria or heterogeneity by nature hence none should be accorded respect or be seen to be recognised above others, Danladi pointed out adding that anything short of equal recognition would only amount to promoting disunity and chaos in the state.
The different groups that made up YOWICAN, which described itself as ‘Agents of Transformation’, includes; Niger Christians Youth Forum, Concerned Christian Youth Movement, Initiatives for Better and Brighter Nigeria, Nupe Christian Youth Vanguard as well as Journalists for Christ (Niger state chapter), are therefore calling on all the political parties to respect the secularity of the state by doing the needful.
“We are calling on all the registered political parties for the governorship race in Niger state, to, as matter of necessity, ensure they present joint Christian/Moslem ticket. A Christian Governor against Moslem Deputy or vice versa and reflect same in all appointive positions”.
Christians and indeed non-muslims have suffered years of marginalisation or treated as second class citizens in Niger state, this according to YOWICAN, should not be, as adherents of both major religions preaches peace and should be peace makers in practical terms.
“Both Christians and Moslems as equal stakeholders who are also concerned about even development of the state. We are ready to mobilize against any political platform that will not recognize us as equal stakeholders by presenting same faith ticket in the forthcoming general elections”.
The same equity should be translated to all levels of appointments and elections, beginning with the Deputy Governorship slot, the state YOWICAN chairman pointed out, adding that, “Since the return of democracy, there has been a religious biased rooted amongst the political class that has sidelined Christians from Governance and administration of the state”.
This so much pronounced discrimination has led to the gradual reduction of government's impact in all segments of Niger state and therefore assured that any party that fields a Christian as Deputy Governor would automatically get the bulk of votes from Christians.
According to Danladi Emmanuel, “We are bringing to the notice of all political parties in Niger state and all well meaning stakeholders to ensure a fair spread of political participation with Christians and other non-muslims”.
“We are convinced that whichever political party that gets the bulk of Christian votes will without an iota of doubts carry the day. What we are demanding is not new in our country, Nigeria and as citizens whereby quota system is in practice”.
The joint groups further argued that, “Humanity should be our first driving force and on this we stand for equity, fairness and justice for all. We are aware that there have been so many arguments as to the population of Christians in Niger state, since democracy is said to be a game of numbers, it is still very well a matter of academic debate”.
Also in his contribution, Engineer Alex Tsado, the conveners of ‘Nupe Christian Youth Vanguard’, assured that Christians are ready to participate at all levels of politics hence should be given equal opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of the state.
“All we are saying to all the political parties participating in the 2023 elections in Niger state is that with our voters’ cards we will sway votes towards any party that has sympathy for Christians because we have played vital role to the growth and development of the state since the return to democracy in Nigeria. We are asking for a level playing ground for all of us”. NNL.
