Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has tasked Christian leaders to mobilize Christians to participate in political processes in the country.
His spokesman, Dr Makut Macham, stated in Jos on Saturday that the governor gave the charge at a dinner he organized on Friday for the Christian leaders to sensitize their followers on their roles.
He described the sensitization as critical to ensuring the emergence of good leaders, and their involvement in key decision-making.
“We can no longer afford to treat politics as a dirty game and leaving it to some few people and later complain of marginalization and poor governance.
“It is the Church that has the solution to the world since Jesus Christ called us the `Salt of the Earth’ and the `Light of the World’,’’ the governor was quoted as saying.
He said northern leaders should also galvanize the Church, and make demands of candidates seeking political offices.
He said that the action was necessary because anyone who God gives power must work for the interest of all Nigerians including the Christian community.
Lalong said that as governor and Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, he had enjoyed the support of Christian leaders in Plateau and in the entire northern region.
He said they usually engaged him and other leaders over policies and programs of government, and other national issues which particularly affected the Christian community.
He added that he was aware of the expectation of Christians, especially on issues affecting their rights and privileges, as well as security within the political system.
He charged the leaders to guide their members to ensure that they did not make decisions based on emotions.
“We should be strategic and look at the bigger picture and how it affects our interests,’’ he stressed.
The governor assured the Christian leaders that as a Christian and a Knight of the Catholic Church, he would continue to do his best to protect the interest of Christians.
Lalong assured that he would serve the people in any position God placed him.
