SW News: The biggest inter-denominational association of believers in Nigeria has made a passionate appeal to all voters in Kaduna state to elect leaders who will improve its fortunes and make it a prosperous and safe place for everyone. The appeal of the Kaduna chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) comes ahead of the March 18 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

In a statement, the state chairman of CAN Rev. John Joseph Hayab said, “Let us vote for leaders who will improve the fortunes of the state and build a safe, inclusive, secure and prosperous state.” The head of the association in Kaduna state said in the statement that all eligible voters should resist the temptation of falling prey to incitement because there can be only one winner at the end of the race. He appealed to the candidates to maintain the spirit of sportsmanship and engage in efforts to build a state that all can be proud of after the elections are over.

In a dig at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) whose credibility is at stake, CAN said that it should be neutral and truly independent and regain its lost image among the public. In the recently concluded general elections, there were allegations of electoral fraud with the connivance of INEC. Rev. Hayab said that the electoral body should comply with all the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Rev. Hayab appealed to all who are eligible to exercise their franchise in Kaduna to vote for the right candidate, who should show real commitment to the peace and unity of the different ethnic groups they hope to lead. The state head of CAN also praised voters for their peaceful conduct before and after the general elections. He also said that the high turnout of first-time voters shows that the citizens have a high level of wakefulness about exercising their right to vote.
He also lauded all Christian voters who came out to vote en masse during the Feb. 25 general elections.