Religion
CATHOLIC Action, a non-partisan organisation, has called on all interested Nigerians vying for political positions to showcase their credible manifestos.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Catholic Action, Peter Agbontaen, made the call at a dinner held at the Knight of St. John International Temple, Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, on Saturday in Abuja.
Agbontaen urged Nigerians to watch out for candidates, who have the right character to lead Nigeria and is competent enough to “take on the fight for a progressive nation.”
“We should be on the watch for politicians, who always act in their best interest and for selfish or protection reasons either to save their seats or positions, or to avoid the hammer of anti-graft agencies. It happened four years ago.
“It is happening again, it is now like a recurring decimal. Let us not celebrate these selfish acts.
“We are using this opportunity to call on all patriots, to join in the education, sensitisation and mobilisation of the electorate to search for the desirable qualities to identify in prospective aspirants during elections and the need to vote for integrity.
“ The ability to deliver on manifestos and campaign promises, irrespective of political affiliation, for the purpose of ensuring development and good governance.
“We hope that those contesting the 2019 general elections will focus on giving Nigerians a new people’s constitution that will accommodate projected population growth and match with economic development.
“We firmly believe that a committed government can produce a people’s constitution for Nigerians by October 1, 2020, after taking oath of office on May 29, 2019,” he said.
He said the group has requested that Nigeria would be having a four year tenure for the executive arm and a five year tenure for legislative arm.
According to him, there is need to ensure devolution of power to the federating states with special focus on resource control and internal security, a complete electronic voting system for all elections in Nigeria from 2023.
The Chairman said that the screening exercise by the group would be the first of its kind in the political history in Nigeria.
He said that at the end of the screening exercise the group would published the credentials and capabilities of all aspirants based on the screening assessment to get the over thirty million Nigerians informed.
“The outcome of the screening will make the over thirty million eligible voters make their informed decision and collectively speak with one voice in the forthcoming elections,” he stressed.
He said that the group would be examining individuals, who make themselves available to the screening committee.
Speaking on the Catholic social teaching, he said that the principles of the teaching should be implemented in Nigeria as a tool for a good governance and leadership.
He, however, added that the group is focused on creating for the nation, a new breed of leadership that would create enabling environment for God’s will to gain fruition in the nation.
“We at Catholic Action-Nigeria are concerned with what politicians can do and so we are calling on interested Nigerians vying for political positions to showcase their worth during our screening exercise.
“ Our 36 States executives, 774 Local Government Areas Coordinators and Wards representatives, alongside with over thirty million Nigerians eligible voters, who will speak with one voice are eagerly awaiting the outcome of our screening exercises”, he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) recalls that the group has asked interested Nigerians vying for political positions in 2019, to fill the aspiration form on its website – www.catholicactionng.org.
They are to attach herewith for Presidential position, a 10 year economy, political development blueprint for the nation, to be submitted.
Governorship position, a 10 year economy political development blueprint for the state, to be submitted.
Legislatures: “federal and states”a blueprint identifying 5 bills that will lead to the development of the nation, states and constituency, also to be submitted.(NAN)
– Sept. 16, 2018 @ 12:35 GMT |
Tags: 2019: Catholic Action urges politicians to showcase credible manifestos
