The Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council, Most Reverend Josiah Idowu-Fearon, has urged Nigerians to shun sentiments and vote for quality leaders in the 2023 general elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket has received heavy bashing from individuals and groups, especially the Christian community.
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Speaking in a virtual interview with journalists in Kaduna, Idowu-Fearon said Nigeria did not need a Christian or a Muslim president, but a leader who had the fear of God who would reflect that virtue in governance.
He said, “I have received several calls and text messages asking for my comments, but I refrained from passing comments because we are a very sick nation. We are informed people but we are very ignorant.
“Nigeria does not need a Christian president or a Christian vice president, nor does it need a Muslim president or vice president. What Nigeria needs is a president who has the fear of God, who will take the values of that religion to governance. Let us move away from sentiments. What is important is leadership quality.
“My advice is this; the Christian leaders who are trying to convince Christians, what is their track record; we need to start thinking, those who have suddenly come up to say they are Christians and are asking Christians not to vote for Muslim-Muslim ticket, what is their track record?
“Since they have been out of government, what have they done for their communities back home; what have they done within the party they are affiliated with? Whether you are a Christian or a Muslim, leadership demands integrity; whatever you say, people should believe you. Leadership calls for honesty, humility, compassion and sensibility.”
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to move away from religious and tribal sentiments, adding that, “If I had the opportunity of meeting Tinubu, Atiku and Obi, I will ask them serious questions because I do not care whether they are Muslim or Christian.”
He then called on the media to sensitise the public and focus on the qualities of the leaders and not their ethnicity or religion.
