ECWA General Secretary, Dr Ayuba Asheshe,
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has urged politicians and religious leaders to shun bitterness and divisive politics as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
ECWA General Secretary, Dr Ayuba Asheshe, gave the charge during a media chat at the ECWA Headquarters in Jos on Tuesday, stressing the need for political actors to use the electoral season to contribute to the development and unity of the country.
Asheshe said political affiliation was a choice and should not be allowed to create hostility among Nigerians, noting that citizens would continue to face the country’s challenges together irrespective of their political or religious differences.
“Whichever political party you belong to, the whole idea is for us to bring something that will make our country move forward. It is not a do-or-die something,” he said.
He urged politicians, particularly Christian political aspirants, to pursue actions that would promote peace and strengthen the country rather than deepen divisions.
Asheshe also warned against what he described as politics of division and decimation, urging political actors to stop actions capable of undermining national unity.
“Whatever you can do in order to bring peace, in order to build peace, in order to promote peace, please go for such things
“Anybody that is bringing a politics of division and decimation, may I call on you? Please stop that. This is the only country we have, and we must be seen building it,” the ECWA General Secretary stated.
He further appealed to religious leaders to remain neutral and provide guidance and support to political aspirants under their influence, irrespective of their political affiliations.
According to him, religious leaders should see themselves as fathers to all and avoid taking sides in a manner that could deepen political divisions.
Asheshe said the need for peaceful political engagement was particularly important given the challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, economic hardship and difficulties affecting communities and families.
He noted that insecurity and economic hardship did not discriminate between Christians and Muslims, stressing that Nigerians experienced the consequences of such challenges collectively.
“When insecurity strikes, it doesn’t ask you whether you are a Muslim or a Christian. When economic hardship bites, it doesn’t ask you whether you are a Christian or a Muslim,” he said.
He therefore urged Nigerians to work together, saying the country’s challenges should not become reasons for further division.
Asheshe said his appeal was not based on an expectation of crisis during the forthcoming elections, but on lessons from previous political seasons in the country.
He encouraged political actors to embrace actions that would strengthen the foundation of the country while avoiding those capable of injuring the political system.
The ECWA General Secretary also urged Nigerians to see the country as a collective responsibility, stressing that citizens shared common spaces and experiences regardless of their differences.
He called on political aspirants and religious leaders to work towards a peaceful electoral process and ensure that political competition did not become a source of conflict.
