CAN Thumbs-Up Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War Campaign

By Archibong Jeremiah

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Cross River State has thumbed up the ongoing Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War campaign in Nigeria.

CAN during an advocacy visit by the State Technical Committee of the campaign said the drive which targets an increased number of youths, women, and persons living with disabilities to participate in the general election is noble.

Dr. Takis Etim Caiafas, the State CAN Chairman opened its doors to the initiative and pledged to support in spreading the message of peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections.

After thanking the Vote Not Fight, Election No Be War campaign team, the Cross River CAN Chairman represented by his Vice, Dr. Obeten Iwara, said contrary to popular opinion “Christians have been voting, but the truth is that awareness has increased.

“We can see that the youth have woken up this time. Peanuts this time cannot defend any candidate because the youths have risen up. It’s not that the youths were senseless but they were not awakened politically. We are grateful.”

He informed their guests that CAN has always taken elections sensitization seriously from the onset and rolled out lined-up programs.

Also, the State CAN Assistant Secretary, Dr. Martin Omang reiterated the organization’s commitment asserting that a campaign aimed at reducing electoral violence during, before, and after elections is welcomed. 

He urged all and sundry to ensure that “the marginalized should be encouraged to vote. An election is not a do-or-die affair. Avoid vote buying.”

Earlier, the State Technical Committee Team Lead, Mr. Lawrence Peter while introducing the project to their host said “the project is going on across the country but in the South-South, FACE Initiative is the implementing organization.”

He thanked CAN for playing host to the campaign team.

Also, Comr. Ukeme Obong, the Deputy Team Lead revealed that to ensure it’s not just talking and walk, there is a component of the project which extracts commitment from candidates – Governance Agenda for Inclusive Nigeria (GAIN).

She urged all who haven’t collected their PVC to do so to avoid disenfranchisement.