The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Nasarawa State, Rev. Dr. Sunday Emma, has urged Christians to actively participate in elections, describing the failure to vote as a sin.
Speaking with journalists in Lafia on Tuesday while reflecting on recent elections, including the Nasarawa bye-election, Emma said Christians have a biblical and civic responsibility to obey constituted authority by exercising their voting rights.
“We will not get tired of enlightening people because that is one of the responsibilities entrusted to us. We cannot sit back and expect the right thing to happen without playing our part,” he said.
The cleric stressed that participating in elections is not optional for believers, saying, “Once an election is scheduled, you are expected to go out and exercise your franchise. Not exercising your franchise is even a sin, and that must be understood.”
He encouraged Nigerians, especially Christians, to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), urging those yet to register to do so before the exercise ends.
Emma also advised citizens not to be discouraged by the belief that their votes would not count, insisting that greater participation could help improve the electoral process.
“If we give up, we are allowing the wrong things to continue. When bad leadership persists, the consequences are complaints, hunger, poor education, inadequate healthcare and underdevelopment,” he said.
The CAN chairman urged voters to peacefully protect the sanctity of their votes while expressing confidence that INEC would conduct credible elections. However, he lamented the growing trend of election outcomes being determined in court rather than at polling units.
“Elections should be decided by the votes cast by the people,” he stated, while also calling on members of the judiciary to remain impartial and ensure justice prevails.
