Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Nigerians not to exercise fear or despair in the face of current challenges rocking the nation as the country prepares for the 2023 elections.
He also expressed the hope that Nigeria will overcome the difficulties as the elections and the population census will be carried out peacefully and without rancor.
Osinbajo, represented by Federation Government Secretary Boss Mustapha, expressed these views during the 2022 Nine Lessons and Carols Service held on Sunday evening at the National Christian Center in Abuja.
The vice president offered a message of hope and invited people to change the lens through which they see the country’s current predicaments and to always have positive expectations.
He said: “The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Do Not Fear.’ This is a very important issue for all of us even as we approach 2023, which has been described as a year in which Nigeria seems to be at a crossroads. We are approaching the year 2023. Yes, we are going to have elections and we are going to have a census exercise.
“All these problems come with many questions, but we have the assurance of our Lord and Savior. He will not allow our hearts to be troubled. We must believe in Him and believe in God.”
The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in his sermon titled ‘Lay Down Your Fears’, said that citizens are feeling more terrified than at any time in the history of the nation due to the high level of insecurity. and uncertainty. within the political economy of the country.
However, he charged people not to let fear make them speak the language of despair and division ahead of the 2023 general election.
Okoh said that Nigerians should not lose hope and act in ways that hinder the development and progress of the country.
The CAN President said: “As Nigerians prepare for the 2023 general election, many people are unsure of the outcome. It is feared that some will resort to violence if the elections do not favor them. It is a period that arsonists have already destroyed electoral materials in certain places with the mentality of truncating the election process in 2023.
“We are in a precarious moment because people who are displaced from their homes due to insecurity do not know how to participate in the next elections.
“These situations are really scary, but how should we respond to these situations that we find ourselves in? Fear can lead to irreparable mistakes. Should we live in fear? No, we should not be afraid even in the face of all these challenges.”
Taking his biblical text from Matthew 1:20-21, Okoh explained that the Christmas story addresses the circumstances of the country, the fears of the people and the future of the nation.
He said: “Let the Christmas story move us to speak the language of peace to our neighbors, regardless of differences in religion, ethnicity or political leanings.
“We must not allow fear to stop us from working against injustice. Allow resources and government positions to be shared equally among people from all regions and tribes. The equitable distribution of positions should not threaten the existence of any ethnic or religious group, but rather it will help us to take advantage of the abundance of potential of our beloved country for national development.
“We must not let the fear of losing the election drive us to violence and fraud before, during and after the 2023 elections. Politicians must engage in election campaigns and elections correctly with the mindset that after doing all the genuine efforts, we must surrender to God for the final decision.
“We must not allow fear to tempt us to mislead the unsuspecting public with false and unconnected stories. Religious and political leaders and the media must present the true position of the issues to Nigerians so that they can make informed decisions at the ballot box for the good of all.
“Fear of the unknown must not be allowed to drive our youth to migrate to other countries in search of greener pastures. We can make our pastures here greener again. It requires commitment and perseverance.
“The fear of living in poverty should not lead people to steal public funds. Fear drives people to accumulate wealth through illegal means. It is important to note that those who see corrupt activities but do not speak out against such activities are afraid of being exposed as complicit or fear for their lives. Fear does not bring progress.
The cleric also advised Nigerians to use the Christmas season as a period to empower themselves and others, giving hope to the hopeless and beleaguered and being a voice for the voiceless.