Nigerian politicians have been asked to refrain from inducing voters with material items and cash ahead of this year’s general elections.
Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in Obokun Owa constituency, Osun State, made the call while delivering a speech at the 40th Annual Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Ilesa, Otan-Ile Circuit in Obokun Local Government.
In an apparent reaction to the allegation in some quarters that President Goodluck Jonathan bribed the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, with N7billion in his reelection bid, the aspiring lawmaker said the bribe scandal has put the body to international embarrassment.
Oyintiloye said desperate attempts to perpetually remain in or get to power at all levels have forced politicians to “induce religious leaders with money, with a view to dragging their names in the mud.”
Referring to Christians as light and salts of the world, the opposition candidate charged religious leaders to “rise above earthly encumbrances and pursue divine mandate in the spirit of calvary.”
He added that, “Several names of christian leaders have been dragged in the mud and we should find ways of correcting this anomalies rather than dragging more names to the mud.
“By turning the altar to campaign ground after inducement by the PDP, some church leaders are now battling with credibility crisis.”
Speaking at the event also, Charles Oderinde, ArchBishop of Ilesa Diocese, appealed to President Jonathan to be faithful with the May 29 handover date, while calling on the federal government to expedite action in its efforts to ensure the safe return of abducted Chibok Secondary School girls.
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