As the call for registration for Permanent Voters Card intensifies, a clergy, Rev. Philip D. Weishe of the Evangelical Church of West Africa Good News in Minna, Niger State, has raised the alarm over alleged discrimination against Christians in the ongoing voters registration in the northern parts of the country.
Weishe, who stated this in a sermon during the thanksgiving service in honour of the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Culture in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, pointed out that the attitude of the Independent National Electoral Commission towards Christians in the ongoing voters registration exercise poses a great threat to the fragile unity of the country.
According to him: “I need to draw the attention of the government to the high level of discrimination against the Christians, especially in the North Central geopolitical zone of the country, in the going registration of voters, which to me is a dangerous thing to do by INEC.
“The cooperate existence of this great country is more important than the ambition of an individual or a section of this country.
“Whatever is the reason that Christians are being discriminated against in the voters registration will not augur well for the unity of the country.
“What we have observed in the ongoing registration is that if your name does not resemble my own (Philip), you are either frustrated or even denied registration, and if you are a woman, then you must wear Hijab (Muslim women dress) before you can be attended to, and for me this is dangerous.
“It is now clear to us Christians that there is a game plan.
“If not, why should INEC officials decide to discriminate.
“There should be equal treatment to all regardless of our religious beliefs.”
Weishe however urged Christians not to be deterred by whatever way the INEC wants to frustrate them by coming out to obtain their voters cards.
Also speaking during the thanksgiving for the opportunity to serve as commissioner for two and half years under the present administration, Vatsa said the time to sit on the fence and be grumbling is over, stressing that Christians must be part of the decision making in the country.
He therefore urged Christians to actively participate in the ongoing voters registration and obtain their voters cards so as to make their choice through the ballot box.
He said: “The voters’ card is your weapon that you can use to effect any change that you so desire.
“I think we should stop grumbling and come out to actively participate in the electoral process and we can start by going to register.
“But again, it does not only stop at the registration.
“When the time come for us to vote, we should also come out to vote.
“That is the best way to grumble.
“Let the ballot box speak for you.”
