The Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF) has called on Christians in the country to pray fervently for peaceful elections and emergence of God’s choice for the nation in 2019.
In a communique at the end of its 43rd Annual National Conference in Owerri, Imo State, the NGCF expressed concern over the spate of violence and electoral malpractices that characterise elections and pose a threat to the country’s democracy.
It called on all politicians to guard their utterances and actions as God, the righteous judge, is ready to bring all persons that oppress His people and treat them unfairly to reckoning with dire consequences.
The Conference also identified tribalism, religious bigotry, disunity and distrust in the nation’s political system that hamper growth and development.
The full communique reads:
PREAMBLE
The Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship, an inter-denominational Christian organization, held its 43rd Annual National Conference from 29th August to 2nd September, 2018 at the New Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri, Imo State.
The conference which had as its theme. Divine Principles of Good Success (Joshua 1:8) was attended by Christians from within and outside Nigeria and was addressed by notable clergymen, a jurist, political activists and an electoral official.
It provided a forum for inspired praise and worship, intercessory prayers for the nation, illuminating expositions from the Bible, and robust discussions of matters of national interest, including a maiden political summit which focused on the role of stakeholders in ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
On the theme of the conference, participants were enjoined to speak the word of God, think the word and do the word in accordance with the scriptural injunction in Joshua 1:8 in order for them to attain prosperity and success approved of God. Experiencing the new birth, maintaining a focused vision, thinking positively, staying undefiled, learning to forgive wholeheartedly, being strong in the faith, never lending support for wrong doing or injustice and having eternity as the ultimate goal were identified as some of the God-ordained principles for success in every area of life.
THE CHURCH
The Conference noted, with great delight the concern of the Church in Nigeria for good governance and righteous leadership.
NCGF, however, called on the Church to pray fervently for peaceful elections and emergence of God’s choice for the nation in 2019.
It enjoined the Church to shun doctrinal differences and embrace unity and oneness of purpose in the propagation of the Gospel.
The Conference urged the Church in Nigeria to be properly positioned and make significant impact in the seven spheres of life as outlined in Philippians 4:8, viz: Education, Economy, Government and Justice, The Church, Family, Media and Entertainment.
2019 ELECTIONS
Following the low ebb of the political situation in the country, NCGF organized for the first time a political summit as part of its contribution to building democracy in the country.
The Conference expressed grave concern over the spate of violence, threat to lives and properties, desperation to grab power by all means, vote buying, rigging and other malpractices that often characterize elections in the country which in turn pose a threat to democracy.
In this regard, conference called on all politicians to guard their utterances and actions as God, the righteous judge, is ready to bring all persons that oppress His people and treat them unfairly to reckoning with dire consequences.
The Conference also identified tribalism, religious bigotry, disunity and distrust in the nation’s political system that hamper growth and development.
The conference called on Christians as conscience of the society to embrace politics and be active in various political activities. It noted that the lack of morality in the political system should preoccupy children of God and spur them into action.
It stressed the need for an all-inclusive system where men and women of skill and integrity should be encouraged to participate in party politics for a stable and prosperous society.
NCGF call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure effective preparedness, be transparent in the conduct of election and adopt global best practices in handling electoral matters.
The Conference charged the Nation’s security agencies to maintain neutrality and high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties during elections.
The Conference noted with joy the reforms in the conduct of election proposed in the Electoral Bill which if implemented would aid in the realization of free and credible elections in Nigeria.
The Conference therefore urged the President to assent to the bill so as to provide proper framework for the 2019 elections.
GOVERNANCE
The Conference frowns at the high level of insecurity, wanton killings of innocent Nigerians, poor state of infrastructure, bad governance of public institutions, disobedience of court orders, injustice, lack of transparency by public officers, unemployment, economic hardship, disparity in the criteria for admission to schools, especially to Unity Schools and ethnicity which it identified as indices of under-development in the country.
NCGF noted with sadness the impunity exhibited by herdsmen who have continued unrestrained in their killing spree across the country without being apprehended and prosecuted by security agencies.
The Conference condemned in strong terms the bane of bad and incompetent leadership and prayed fervently for competent and visionary leaders in all strata of government.
It observed that the essence of governance, in line with the word of God in Proverbs 29: 2, is to bring joy to every citizen of the nation and reduce poverty.
The Conference, therefore, advocated righteousness, accountability, building of strong institutions, and diversification of the economy; enthronement of democratic principles, sincere fight against corruption, youth employment and massive investment in infrastructure as ways of taking the nation out of the doldrums.
Conference commends the recent sacking of the former DSS Chief by the Federal Government and calls for the immediate overhaul of the Nation’s security apparatchik to meet emerging security issues in the land. Security Chiefs who have not performed professionally and within the limits of the law should be properly investigated, sacked and prosecuted
We restate our faith in the rule of law as true basis for institutional Governance and therefore differ with the recent commentary that it can be set aside for national interest.
Conference joins well meaning Nigerians on the call for true federalism and Restructuring of the nation to meet desired developmental goals.
We again implore the Federal Government to do all in its power to quickly ensure the release of all Nigerians under Boko Haram captivity including, Miss Leah Sharibu.
CONCLUSION
The Conference is hopeful that God who reigns in the affairs of men will lead Nigeria to its expected destination.
Signed:
Prof. Charles Adisa
National President
Pastor Onyenachi Nwaegeruo
General Secretary