Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Lagos State chapter, has called on the adherents of the two notable religions, Christianity and Islam, to continue to embrace peace and coexist, especially as the 2023 general elections approach.
The CAN Chairman in Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, made the call on Sunday at the Special Prayer for Lagos and the Nation organised by the Muslim community of Lagos State.
The prayer session held at the Blue Roof, LTV 8, Lagos attracted Muslim scholars and representatives of different Muslim Organisations including NASFAT, Anwar-ul-Islam, Ansar-ud-Deen, Nawair-ud-Deen, MUSWEN, among others.
Speaking with Muslim News at the occasion, Bishop Stephen Adegbite said that CAN at the national and state level is committed to peaceful coexistence in the country, noting that religious bias should not be a barrier to the restoration of calm in the country.
According to him, “Well, we have met at the national level of Christian Association of Nigeria, and have said to everybody that religion should not be the yardstick for anybody to come into office. We must be able to know that there are many people who claim to be religious, but are not.
“There are people we have seen what they’ve done in the past, we know their antecedent. These are the leaders we want in our nation today. So, no sentiment about it, nobody should think we are going to canvass or vote because of religion. Show us your track record, then, we will know whether you are the right candidate or not.
“But nobody should deceive anybody in Nigeria that because of your religion, we are not going to vote for you and we have said in CAN that we are not following that. People should be allowed to vote for their choice, whether you are a Christian or a Muslim,” he noted.