UGHELLI/Nigeria: As the 2019 general elections approaches, Nigerians had taken to God’s protection through fasting and prayers, to have violence free and peaceful elections.
As part of this community of Nigerians, who considers elections to be a family affair, and should be devoid of violence, is the Christians Community Platforms, CCP, who recently held a one day fasting and prayer session for the 2019 elections, at the Trinity Gospel Mission, Ughelli, to pray against any form of actions that will lead to breakdown of law and other, before, during and after the elections.
The program which was laced with praise and worships, had two sections of prayers ,which featured prayer against violence in the election, peace in Northern part of the country, prayer for the Delta state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the state Exco, all political aspirants, and for the Christian Community Platform, CCP in Nigeria. Prayer for peace in Niger Delta and the Middle belt area of the country. It also featured prayers against any form of manipulation from external and internal interferences, for security agencies that will be involved in the election processes, the Independent National Election Commission, INEC, ad-hoc workers.
Giving the exhortation, Rev. Jerry Ajoromedoghene, in a message he titled, “Jesus is our God on Election Day” called on politicians to avoid any act that will be destructive, and causes violence during, and after the elections in the country. He admonished them to know that any politician that wants to succeed and rightly seek for the face of God will surely succeed.
“I call on our politicians to please avoid anything that will cause destruction and violence before, during and after the elections, as this will not be right before God. If you rightly seek for the face of God for success, you will surely succeed.”
Speaking, the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor, on Religious Matters, Bishop Greatman Nmalagu, said the prayer session was timely, as it will help to curb any form of planned disruption of the peaceful existence of Deltans as the election approaches, he called on Christians to continue to pray, as it’s the only weapon they have against any form of evil intentions of those who had plans to cause problems in the state, and in Nigeria as a whole.
“We have to pray as a body of Christ against any form of violence in the country, especially in our dear state, Delta. The Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa had built and had continued to maintain a peaceful environment in the state. We have to support him, through prayers, so that before, during and after the elections, the already established peace in the state will remain.”
Also speaking, the President, and Bishop of Trinity Gospel Mission, Ughelli, Bishop (Dr) D.O Emuohor, said the prayer and fasting had become necessary as the elections, especially with the various signs of threat to peaceful conduct of the elections. He called on Christians to pray, and also ensure they take part in the elections by voting on election days.
“As Christians, we have to fast and pray for violence free elections this year. We as Christians, have to also be involved in the election processes, going out to vote, and vote the rightful candidates.”
The president of the Christian Community Platform, CCP, Rev. Dr. Cyril Okonye, in an interview, called on all Christians in the country, especially Delta to pray for successful elections, as violence is not required to elect leaders in the country. He pointed out that the CCP is not just to pray, and fast for peace in Nigeria, but also to engage Christians to be involved in politics.
The prayer section had in attendance representatives of the CCP from the 25 local government areas of the state, and other Christian leaders in the state.
