AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS URGE VOTERS TO CHOOSE CHARACTER OVER SENTIMENT.

By Bamanga Abdullahi Gombi Yola.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, religious leaders across the country have continued to urge citizens to shun vote buying and elect leaders of proven integrity and credibility.

The religious leaders messages centered around the need for voters to elect leaders wisely, for integrity, honestly and commitment to justice.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent in Yola, Bamanga Abdullahi reports that the call dominated sermons and admonitions delivered by Muslim and Christian clerics especially in Adamwa State in recent times.

The religious leaders also called on INEC, security agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process in Adamawa State and the nation at large.

In an interview, the Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Sheikh Ibrahim Makari said the country needs leaders who are honest, knowledgeable, accountable and God-fearing, stressing further that moving the nation forward is a collective responsibility.

Professor Makari emphasized the need for the electorates to shun sentiment, ethnicity or monetary inducement, adding that the nation will only thrive with visionary leaders who have the capacity to serve with sincerity if elected.

He contended that the leaders, the citizens and the media need to work together towards a common goal of peace and progress to move the country forward.

"The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, said, ‘Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.’ We need to have this in mind as citizens and leaders to ensure our country is progressing"

On his part, Reverend Father Malaki Wache of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Parish of Christ, Damilu, Jimeta urged Nigerians to embrace the biblical model of servant leadership that is rooted in service and integrity.

"The first question Nigerians should ask is, can this person serve? Jesus, before his departure, washed the feet of his disciples"

The cleric explained that leadership built on integrity reflects the character of God, stressing that Jesus did not only teach, but lived by identifying with the grieved, the hungry, the sick, the outcast, strangers, and people from every class.

Father Wache advised Nigerians to look beyond party, tribe or region and focus on character, competence, and track record. 

He however called on leaders to prioritize accountability, justice and the welfare of citizens above personal gain.

A Yola-based political analyst, Alhaji Yusuf Ibbi, underscored the need for political parties to present clear manifestos on the economy, security, education, healthcare, agriculture and job creation.

Yusuf Ibbi also warned that party primaries should be conducted with transparency and fairness to ensure that only competent candidates emerge, pointing out that adequate funding needed to be made to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to be able to organise credible and acceptable polls.

"The media should prioritize discussions on policies and development issues, rather than amplifying political propaganda, rumours and conflicts."

Mr Ibbi called for strict penalties for vote buying and political violence to ensure accountability and good governance.

The analyst further urged the Judiciary to speed up electoral and corruption casses and stressed the need for proper monitoring of election budgets.