A Labour Party senatorial candidate in Anambra State, Ven. Tochukwu Ikezue, has urged Christian leaders to mobilise their congregations to participate in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, warning that the Church should not remain silent as the country’s future is at stake.
Ikezue, who is contesting for Anambra Central Senatorial District, appealed to archbishops, bishops, pastors, general overseers and other Christian leaders to encourage their members to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the electoral process.
The candidate made the appeal while raising concerns about the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) voter register and database ahead of the elections.
He alleged that artificial intelligence could be used to manipulate INEC’s database and voter records, calling for an independent audit of the commission’s electoral systems.
Ikezue urged INEC to engage local and international information and communication technology experts to examine its database, servers and voter register before the elections.
He argued that the electoral commission should not be allowed to audit its own systems, insisting that independent scrutiny was necessary to ensure transparency.
“Transparency is not a favour; it is a duty. If INEC has nothing to hide, let independent experts open the system. Nigeria cannot go into 2027 with a compromised database,” he said.
The candidate also cited Matthew 16:18 of the Bible, which states that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church”, urging Christians not to be intimidated or withdraw from political participation.
He encouraged Christians to support candidates they considered God-fearing, regardless of their political parties, while exercising wisdom and courage during the electioneering period.
Ikezue also advised voters not to reject gifts offered by politicians during campaigns, but to ensure that such gestures did not influence their choices at the ballot box.
“Do not fail to collect all their gifts. Collect the cash, the cars, the sewing machines, the freezers, the motorcycles, the tricycles, the buses and all they bring. It is our commonwealth they stole.
“But when you get to the ballot, vote your conscience. Vote God-fearing vessels. Your vote is your covenant with God, not for sale,” he said.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could experience positive transformation within the lifetime of the present generation, arguing that citizens must take responsibility for determining the country’s political future.
“God has raised men and women of integrity, of capacity, of fear of God, for this season. But God will not vote for us. We must be ready to support them, defend our votes, and vote them into power. 2027 is not just an election, it is a spiritual assignment,” he added.
Ikezue, who is contesting for Anambra Central Senatorial District, appealed to archbishops, bishops, pastors, general overseers and other Christian leaders to encourage their members to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the electoral process.
The candidate made the appeal while raising concerns about the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) voter register and database ahead of the elections.
He alleged that artificial intelligence could be used to manipulate INEC’s database and voter records, calling for an independent audit of the commission’s electoral systems.
Ikezue urged INEC to engage local and international information and communication technology experts to examine its database, servers and voter register before the elections.
He argued that the electoral commission should not be allowed to audit its own systems, insisting that independent scrutiny was necessary to ensure transparency.
“Transparency is not a favour; it is a duty. If INEC has nothing to hide, let independent experts open the system. Nigeria cannot go into 2027 with a compromised database,” he said.
The candidate also cited Matthew 16:18 of the Bible, which states that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church”, urging Christians not to be intimidated or withdraw from political participation.
He encouraged Christians to support candidates they considered God-fearing, regardless of their political parties, while exercising wisdom and courage during the electioneering period.
Ikezue also advised voters not to reject gifts offered by politicians during campaigns, but to ensure that such gestures did not influence their choices at the ballot box.
“Do not fail to collect all their gifts. Collect the cash, the cars, the sewing machines, the freezers, the motorcycles, the tricycles, the buses and all they bring. It is our commonwealth they stole.
“But when you get to the ballot, vote your conscience. Vote God-fearing vessels. Your vote is your covenant with God, not for sale,” he said.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could experience positive transformation within the lifetime of the present generation, arguing that citizens must take responsibility for determining the country’s political future.
“God has raised men and women of integrity, of capacity, of fear of God, for this season. But God will not vote for us. We must be ready to support them, defend our votes, and vote them into power. 2027 is not just an election, it is a spiritual assignment,” he added.