In a video that surfaced on social media on Monday, July 18, 2022, a senior pastor of Family Worship Center, Abuja, Pastor Sarah Omakwu was seen reading the circular to her church members.

In the circular titled “2023 General Elections; Whom To Vote For,” the body urged members to look out for certain qualities in the presidential candidates.

Some of the qualities stated in the circular are honesty, truthfulness, respect for the rule of law, respect for religious and ethnic diversity, compassion discipline, and credibility.

The religious body also said any candidate seeking to rule the country must not be a member of any cult group; involve in drug dealings, witchcraft, or have any affinity with Boko Haram terrorists or any violent religious groups.

CAN added that the candidate Christians should vote for must have performed excellently in previous positions; must have good education sufficient to manage a complex society, effective management skills of human and natural resources.

The body further said, “Offices must be shared fairly to every section of Nigeria. There must be equal ethnic and religious representation in military and security agencies. We say no to the RUGA settlement policy and yes to ranching. There should be education and free healthcare to all Nigerians including almajiris. We reject open grazing, rather, there should be modernisation of animal husbandry, local control of economy including waters, rivers and forests. Everyone should control what we have.

“The candidate must not be a member of any cult, must have no involvement in drugs and witchcraft, no fanaticism, no relationship to Boko Haram or other violent religious groups. The person must have quality performance in previous positions, good education sufficient to manage a complex society, effective management of human and natural resources. The person must have the ability to envision transformation, ability to communicate the vision to diverse peoples, ability to effectively effect the vision of transformation, must be in good health, sound mind and physical fitness for the job.”

Pastor Omakwu prayed to God to grant Nigerians the kind of leader Christians want in 2023.

She also enjoined Christians to fight to defend our faith, saying power is first about spiritual control before the physical.

This comes amidst controversies surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the position of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Adeboye, in a viral video on social media during sermon told his congregation not to distract him as his assignment had nothing to do with partisan politics.

“My assignment is to pray for you, including Nigeria, my assignment has nothing to do with partisan politics. Don’t distract my attention. You will bear me witness, those of you who are genuine members of Redeemed Christian Church of God, I have never told you this is the person you should vote for.

“Have I ever told you that whether in secret or in open? Never. I have never said this is the party you should belong to, I have never said it and I will never say it. And you know why, because in Redeemed Christian Church of God, every party is heavily represented. Every one, APC, PDP, APGA, Labour Party, etc,” he said.

Adeboye also disclosed the reason he had never voted in any election in Nigeria.

According to him, “The only reason I have never voted is that if I vote for anyone, I will be unjust to the rest of my children, I am the father of all and I like it that way. All I am saying and I am saying it loud and clear, as a Nigerian, everyone of you, you are Nigerians before you became a Christian, because nobody is born a Christian. You are a true Christian because you gave your life to Jesus Christ.

“Before you became a Christian, you are a Nigerian, you have a duty to your country, to register, to vote, to make sure that your vote should count, you have a duty to belong to any party of your choice at the very grassroots, you can’t sit down, fold your hand, refuse to vote and then begin to complain about the government.

“What were you doing when they were voting? They were voting, you sat down at home, you did not register and then some people came round and selected for you whether at the gubernatorial level, presidential level or local government level. They chose for you because you refuse to do anything and then you begin to complain.

“You must register, you must vote, you must sit down there after you have voted until they count the vote, you must know who they said won. You must make sure there is no more rigging in Nigeria. I don’t care which is your party, I don’t care who you vote for but do your duty, that is what I am asking you to do and you must do it.”