The National Christian Elders Forum has described the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party as “two evils” Nigerians must not vote for in 2019.
The position of the group was made known by the National Chairman of the NCEF, Solomon Asemota (SAN), at a press conference he addressed alongside the NCEF Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Christian Socialist Movement of Nigeria, Bosun Emmanuel.
Members of the NCEF include former Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Theophilus Danjuma (retd); General Joshua Dogonyaro (retd); Archbishop Magnus Atilade; General Zamani Lekwot (retd); Elder Moses Ihonde; Elder Nat Okoro; and Elder Matthew Owojaiye.
Asemota said at the news briefing: “Nigerians must begin to clamour for new candidates and new political parties.
“It is not too late to mobilize and dismiss the current political class that devalued naira by over 1,600 per cent from 1999 to 2018 and, at the same period, increased the price of fuel by 625 per cent.
“Jointly, the PDP and the APC impoverished and pauperised Nigerians and turned the country into the poverty capital of the world.
“It makes sense to reject the two frontline parties, the APC and the PDP, for lack of credible performance.
“We are persuaded that the nation should feel compelled, within the next few months, to look in another direction for its salvation.
“If that is not done, Nigerians would have willingly jumped from the fire into the furnace.
“We are already sensitized as to what is ahead with the slogan: Two Evils.
“NCEF is convinced that if Nigerians are truly desirous of good governance, then all Nigerians have need to be diligent to look outside of these two major parties.
“The determination of a minority group to transform Nigeria into its colony is responsible for the chaos in the country.
“NCEF insists, in agreement with other well-meaning Nigerians, that restructuring the country must be a cardinal campaign issue for the 2019 elections.
“Therefore, the Christian elders emphasize the need to draw up a Charter of Agreement to be signed by presidential candidates to complete with timelines for implementation.
“This should be a major pre-condition for those soliciting votes from Nigerians.
“Of course, no promise from the current government should be taken seriously by anyone.
“NCEF shall draw up its Charter of Agreement and encourage other credible groups to do the same.”