The resurgent activities of Boko Haram terrorists may pose a threat to the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) warned on Thursday.
The CAN leadership urged the federal government to tackle the attacks before the polls.
This was part of the resolutions at the first quarterly meeting of CAN in Abuja.
The Christian body also pointed out efforts of the government in providing security is “not yielding the needed results as wanton killings have continued, especially in some States in the northern part of the country.”
CAN urged Nigerians to pray for the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections.
A statement by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media & Communications) to the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle said: “Boko Haram appeared to have resurrected again, decimating communities in Borno and Yobe States in particular, not sparing soldiers.
“This resurgence of insecurity in the Northeast portends danger for the forthcoming general elections if efforts at curtailing it are not increased. Many voters might be disenfranchised from voting.
“The Association commends President Muhammadu Buhari for the continuous reassurance that all will be done by the government to make the forthcoming general elections free, fair and credible.
“We at the same time implore Mr. President to make sure that all these promises are transformed into reality through concrete efforts that would prevent violence and other electoral malpractices.
“The Association calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police and other security agents not to make themselves available to be used for rigging or any form of electoral malpractice by the politicians.
“No voter or election observer must be intimidated or harassed throughout the period of the election.
“We equally urge politicians to run away from vote buying while the electorates should not allow anybody to buy their votes. If you sell your vote, you sell your future.”
The body added: “We reaffirm our support for all efforts of government geared towards stamping out corruption from our country.
“We, however, caution that efforts geared towards stamping out corruption from Nigeria must follow due process of the law while the independence of each arm of government for peace and harmony in the society must be well maintained.
“Wisdom and caution should be applied by those in government and other Nigerians in all that we do so that our actions and speeches might not set our nation on fire at this crucial period of election.”
