Elections: CAN calls for prayers against another shift

THE President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle has appealed to all Christians in the country and those in Diaspora to begin a Prayer Programme from today, 19 February 2019 and end it on Sunday for the success of the rescheduled elections.

Recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the Presidential and the National Assembly elections to next Saturday for logistics reasons, the excuse that does not go down well with all stakeholders.

The CAN President in a statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media and Communication), Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, said “the unfolding scenario on the political scene is not ordinary and there is a need for the Church to intercede for Nigeria. I want you to pray very well this week against some evil forces that are plotting against the election. If it’s about the things we see in the spirit, I am not sure that elections will hold at all. We should rise up and ask for a transparent, free, fair and credible election that will even be better than those of 2015.”

“That is why we have asked you to pray this week. This is a week for prayers. Pray those bad people will not be involved in Nigeria’s affairs. About the elections, we will pray that they will not result in war, bring hardship and suffering unto the populace. People who think they are powerful and want to cause problems for us, God himself will give them problems and bind them. God will take power from them.

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“It is our prayers that this will be the last time INEC will toy with any postponement again. It is reprehensible, unacceptable, condemnable, ungodly and a national embarrassment and never again will Nigeria be subjected to this kind of rude shock of international proportion.”

The President of the Christian Apex body further said “you would recall that on the night of February 19, 2018, 14-year-old Leah Sharibu was kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists from her school, Government Girls Science and Technical Secondary School in Dapchi and for being a Christian, she is still languishing in the den of the terrorists. We urge you all to also pray for her deliverance.”

CAN said the prayer points would go thus “Tuesday: 1. That Leah Sharibu will be freed along with others captives through God’s divine intervention and touch and move the hearts of all: Boko Haram, Government, her parents and those whom God will use to free her.

“Wednesday: 2. That the Elections will hold as re-scheduled – with God disgracing the forces of evil across the land thwarting the plans of those who are bent on sabotaging the will of the people and God’s will for Nigeria. That this election will not lead to war in our nation.

“Thursday: 3. Security of lives and property. Safety for all Election umpires, observers, Monitors and the need for them to stay unbiased during the elections. That the security agents will not intimidate voters nor allow themselves to be used by any politician or political party for election manipulation. That INEC will not compromise its integrity throughout the period of the elections.

“Friday: 4. That the logistical movement of Election materials across the country will go according to plan, safe delivery, and the security of the items until Election Day.

Saturday: 5. That the elections will commence in earnest as planned. Peaceful conduct and violence-free elections all across Nigeria. That INEC will collate and announce the results transparently and for all the political parties to respect the wishes of the people.

“Sunday: 7. Praise and thanksgiving to God for successful elections on Saturday, February 23rd 2019.”