CAN president: Nigerians’ll vote individuals, not parties in 2023 polls

According to Archbishop Daniel Okoh, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Nigerians won't choose President Muhammadu Buhari's successor in 2023 based on their political party.

This was stated by Archbishop Okoh on Sunday in Abuja while delivering the sermon at the Christ Holy Church International 2022 Men's Conference with the theme, "By faith, provide leadership."

He asserts that Nigerians now vote not only solely on the political party nominating the candidates, but also on the politicians themselves.

“It is important that people of God at this time should have their eyes open. Before casting your votes, make sure you know the people you are giving your votes to. In Nigeria, things are beginning to change. Gone are those days when people vote based on the political party fielding the candidate; when once you have the ticket of a particular party, you are covered.

“Today, people are looking at individuals, their credibility, character, experience, capacities and antecedents in relation to the positions they want to occupy,” Okoh said.

In addition, he criticised the danger of vote-buying in the nation's political process and urged citizens to start questioning politicians' plans and initiatives before choosing who will be given a mandate for the following four years.

“Nigerians have come to a point where they feel that they need to sit down and negotiate with the presidential and governorship candidates. We must ask them: ‘What is our portion in your administration (if elected)?’ They should be able to convince you before you can cast your votes for them. Nobody should take away your future from you. Don’t let anyone give you money to buy your conscience and four years of joy.

“To the people who are in politics, when you are making promises, make sure you are telling the people what you can fulfil. There is no need to promise us you can give us heaven on earth when you know that given the realities on the ground, you cannot be able to fulfil it,” he said.

He also expressed concern about the nation's democracy and warned against the employment of youths in political thuggery.