ECWA General Secretary Urges Nigerians to Reject Politics of Bitterness Ahead of 2027 Polls

Our Reporter

The General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Rev. Dr. Ayuba Asheshe, has called on Nigerians, political and religious leaders, to avoid politics of bitterness and division as the country prepares for general elections.

The cleric appealed on Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the ECWA Headquarters in Jos on the state of the nation.

Rev. Dr Asheshe described the current period as a difficult one for Nigeria, citing rising insecurity, economic hardship, and what he termed “spiritual turbulence” affecting families, communities and places of worship.

He said: “Our country, our community is going through trying moments. There is so much insecurity, so much economic hardship, so much spiritual turbulence.” he said.

On the 2027 general elections, the ECWA scribe advised that party affiliation should be viewed as a way to contribute to national development, not as a reason for conflict.

“Whichever political party you belong to, the whole idea is for us to bring something that will make our country move forward. It is not a do-or-die affair. Being in politics, being in one particular religion or the other is not a call for war,” Rev. Asheshe stressed.

He stated that Nigerians share a common destiny, noting that insecurity and hardship affect everyone regardless of faith.

“This is our country; we belong here. We go to the same market; we go to the same school. When insecurity strikes, it doesn’t ask whether you are a Muslim or a Christian. When economic hardship bites, it doesn’t ask you whether you are a Christian or a Muslim,” he stated.

The cleric also admonished religious leaders to remain neutral and provide fatherly guidance to all citizens.

“You are a father, an umpire that must be neutral because all and sundry are yours. You are to provide that fatherly disposition, guidance and support so that together we will all succeed,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether ECWA had endorsed any candidate and on recent visits by clergymen to Abuja, Rev. Asheshe said the church had not endorsed anyone.

He added that pastoral visits should not be interpreted as political endorsements.

“It is not the responsibility of any church denomination to say we endorse this. As a clergy member, you are a father to all irrespective of political affiliation,” he explained.

Rev. Dr. Asheshe further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to act as an impartial umpire.

“INEC must be a neutral umpire. People should live up to their responsibility. Everybody has been given a position of trust. You must live according to that trust. Anything less than that, you are not fair to this country,” he said.

On governance and corruption, Rev. Asheshe said Nigeria is richly blessed, hence should not be experiencing poverty.

He advised underperforming states to learn from states that are doing well. “There are certain states in Nigeria that are actually performing. Those states that are not performing should go and do some tutorials with those states that are actually performing,” he said.

The ECWA General Secretary called on Christian politicians to reflect Christ in public service, quoting 1 Corinthians 10:31, and advised all aspirants promoting division to desist.

“This is the only country we have, and we must be seen building it.”

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