From Rashidat Suleiman ,Minna
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has appealed to residents of the state to come out in large numbers and exercise their civic rights in the forthcoming local government council elections scheduled for this weekend.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Minna on Wednesday , Bishop Yohanna, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, emphasized that voter apathy is detrimental to the democratic process. He therefore urged all eligible voters who have registered to ensure they collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) from the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, “The 2025 local government elections are around the corner. I want to appeal to those who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so immediately to avoid last-minute rush and future regrets.”
The CAN Chairman further called on all Christian faithful to actively participate in the electoral process, stressing that voting is both a civic and moral responsibility. “Let it be known that we are the determinants of who leads us at the grassroots level. As Christians, we must be involved in politics either as party members or as voters,” he stated.
Bishop Yohanna also advised political parties to field credible candidates who can provide essential amenities and address the needs of the people. He urged bloc leaders, church heads, and community leaders at both the state and local government levels to encourage their members to ignore discouraging remarks such as “votes do not count” and instead participate fully in the elections.
While calling on security agencies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral process, the Bishop appealed to residents of Niger State to conduct themselves peacefully before, during, and after the elections.
He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish and announce the locations of PVC collection centers to enable those who registered online to easily pick up their cards.