President of the Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN), Rev Dr. Dachollom Datiri has warned against rigging the 2019 elections.
Rev. Datiri lamented that outcome of recent elections held in some parts of Nigeria suggest that there was massive rigging.
“We condemn the blatant broad day electoral robbery we have witnessed in some election this year, and call on politicians to embrace patriotic zeal and eschew any desperate craze for position and power.”
The cleric gave the warning Tuesday, during the 95th General Church Council meeting of the denomination, held at the COCIN headquarters in Jos, Plateau state.
The church equally challenge the President Muhammadu Buhari not to encourage rigging during the next general polls.
“We call on the federal government to do everything needed to give Nigerians credible elections come 2019.” COCIN President appealed.
On the increasing insecurity of lives and property, Rev Datiri noted with concern that the present administration has not met expectations of the Nigerian public.
“I call on government at all level to wake up to her primary and constitutional responsibility seriously and guarantee the security of live and property. That seemed to have taken on deaf ears.”
Commenting on waywardness of some clergymen pastoring under the denomination, the COCIN President warned that, henceforth, any pastor who is found preaching contrary to rules of the Church shall be discipline accordingly.
“Any pastor chooses to go a different direction with the Church is not yet ready to work for COCIN and must b Mae to change or be shown the way out.” Rev Datiri warned.
The COCIN President tasked all members of the denomination to vote only God fearing candidates vying for various political offices.
“We call on our teeming members to ensure they discharge their duties civic responsibility with patriotic zeal and vote only God fearing, and credible candidates.”
Speaking in a good will massage, Minister of Sport and Youth Development Barrister Solomon Dalung, who is equally a member of COCIN, told the church that President Buhari is not against Christians.
“I bring you fraternal greetings from Mr. President, Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Flowing from your recent very frank and sincere interaction with him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, this engagement is further proof, if any were needed, of the importance the Buhari Administration attaches to the voice of the body of Christ.”
The minister explained that some individuals within Plateau state had attempted sabotaging the visit of the COCIN leadership recently paid to President Buhari held in Abuja fortnight ago.
“Do not be discouraged or distracted by those who, on the expediency of their political considerations, tried to twist the visit and give it a coloration that best suits their self-centered narrative. The voice of the Church cannot be silenced!.”
Barrister Solomon Dalung commended efforts of COCIN clerics in taking care of crisis victims, the weak and the injured due to sporadic attacks on innocent members.
“I wish to commend the leadership of COCIN for the proactive steps the Church has taken to alleviate the plight of Internally Displaced Persons as a result of various conflicts.”
He assured members of the church that government was working toward aliviting suffering by victims of several attacks.
“While government works towards rehabilitating the IDPs I call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the meantime to step up the supply of crucial relief materials to these IDP Camps.”
The minister call on the Church to support President Buhari’s quest over fight against corruption and corrupt people.
“The signature policy of the Buhari Administration is the fight against corruption and insecurity. At the heart of corruption is sin and godlessness. If religious organizations, which all preach peace and righteousness, succeed in their divine assignments therefore, the task of this Administration would be drastically reduced,” Dalung appealed.
