The Christian community in Nigeria has been exhorted to actively participate in politics and not view it as a dirty game by Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong.
The governor’s spokesperson, Dr. Macham Makut, said in a statement on Saturday that when he hosted northern Christian leaders in Jos, the governor urged them to educate churchgoers about political candidates and make requests of them for a better country.
According to Lalong, everyone with authority granted by God must seek to advance the interests of all Nigerians, especially the Christian community, for the good of all.
The governor stated that as a result, Christians must mobilise their followers to actively participate in politics in order to not only choose who would lead them but also to have a voice when decisions are being made for the greater good.
He said that since Jesus Christ referred to the Church as the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World, Christians could no longer afford to approach politics as a filthy game, leaving it to a select few individuals, and then moan about marginalisation and poor governance.
Governor Lalong said, “As a governor and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, I have enjoyed tremendous support and collaboration from the Christian leaders within the state and the entire northern region who had to engage me and other leaders over policies and programmes of government as well as other national issues, particularly as they affected the Christian community.”
He claimed to be aware of what Christians expected from the political system in the state and other regions of the country, particularly as it pertained to matters affecting their rights and privileges, security, and safety.
He tasked Christian leaders to advise their followers to first participate in the process and make sure they do not make decisions based on emotions or other considerations that would not advance their objectives as Nigerians neared the year 2023, when they would have to make important decisions.
He advised them to adopt a strategic approach and consider how their interests will be impacted by the bigger picture.
In any position God placed him in to serve the people of the nation, the governor assured the Christian leaders that he was determined to continue doing his best to defend the interests of the Body of Christ.
