The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says it will continue to fight against I justice in the country until every oppressed Nigerian was liberated.
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said this at a special prayer event held in Abuja yesterday to mark five years in captivity of Leah Sharibu, one of the Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in 2018 in Yobe State.
The event was co-organised by the Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation and LEAH Foundation.
Okoh noted that Leah Sharibu’s case is just one of the numerous cases of faith-based persecutions going on in the country.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of the forthcoming elections presents to elect leaders who will listen to the cries of the common people; noting that behind Leah’s story is anguish, pain, heart break and fear for many citizens.
The CAN President said: “As a nation, we must rise and speak up against every form of injustice no matter who is involved.
“We must demand better from our leaders. We must speak out against injustice and for fairness until every Nigerian is free from oppression.
“I implore everyone to make good use of the opportunity the forthcoming elections presents to elect leaderships who will not pay deaf ears to the cries of the common people.
“Bad leadership affects us all in many ways no matter our tribe or religion. We should therefore put aside tribal sentiments, religious biases, and personal gains and do what we know is right by voting people with character, capacity and compassion.”
He described Leah’s story as a metaphor for all those currently held captive by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria.
“Leah’s refusal to abandon her beliefs, even in the face of grave danger, has inspired and will continue to inspire many people around the world to stand up for what they believe in and fight for justice and freedom of Belief for all the people around the world,” Okoh stated.
