Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerians to be optimistic about the 2023 general elections, claiming that the elections will usher in a new era of justice and equity.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo spoke at the National Christian Centre Abuja on Sunday during the 62nd Independent Anniversary Service.
He stated that while Nigerians are currently confronted with numerous challenges, the upcoming election will usher in a nation of law, prosperity, and equity, as well as numerous opportunities for the citizenry.
“We are celebrating Nigerians everywhere,” he stated. Nigeria will become a more fruitful and blessed nation as time passes, becoming better, greater, and stronger by the day, as well as more peaceful.
The future of Nigeria will be far more glorious, more prosperous and peaceful than her past. We stand at the gate of a new nation and we see its light shining brightly, the nation of God’s promises, a nation of opportunities, equity and justice, a secured and prosperous nation, a nation of laws and righteousness even if what we see today is bleak and dark, we are confident that God will fulfil his promises concerning this great nation not a word will fail regarding every good thing The Lord has spoken concerning this nation, all will come to pass. Every day God’s promises will be renewed in your life.’’
Earlier, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who spoke on the theme: ‘’The Righteousness Shall Inherit the Land’’, said 2023 presents a unique opportunity for the Nigerian people to make the right choice of leadership.
He charged the electorates to resist any form of inducement and vote for the right leadership that would serve the interest of the people.
‘’Brethren, the year 2023 is the year of our test as a nation. Rather than take up arms to kill each other and terrify innocent Nigerians, adults in this nation should take up our voters’ cards and go to the polls. Those who already have their valid voter’s card should ensure that they don’t misplace it or expose it to where it could be stolen or destroyed. Those who have registered and have not received their PVCs should endeavour to get them and keep them.
‘’Let me counsel that we must resist any threat (strong or subtle) in whichever form to stop us from going out to vote on the day of elections. We should have learnt our lessons to know that politicians who presented some inducement to voters, especially on the polling day were not really interested in the welfare of the people because they disappeared and made themselves unreachable and unavailable to those who elected them after they had been elected.‘’ We should look out for politicians who are genuine and who are sincere to provide the basics that will be the catalyst for economic growth and development. I do not believe that all Nigerian politicians are the same – there are still those that God had prepared for this time.
‘’Open your eyes and listen, you will find them. Our hardworking Nigerian youth should not reduce themselves to body shields to those politicians that have no interest in their future neither should they allow themselves to be used as pawns on the chessboard of reckless political game.
‘’Let the youth understand that their lives are too valuable to waste or sacrifice for any individual or group. Youth should not allow unscrupulous individuals to use them to destroy their own future.”
Concerning the ongoing ASUU strike, the CAN President urged the federal government to do everything possible to ensure that the majority of youths return to their universities and resume their studies.
“According to Proverbs 16:27 (The Living Bible version), “idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.”
I urge all Nigerians to give the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) their full support so that it can complete its mission successfully.”
