BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, John Oyejola has called on Nigerians to refuse every form of inducement before and during the 2023 general elections.
Oyejola gave this charge in his felicitations to members of the Church to mark the beginning of a new liturgical year.
While urging Nigerians, especially the members of the church to go out and get their Permanent Voters Cards, the prelate warned them against selling their votes.
He asked them to vote their conscience and ensure that someone who would restore peace and unity to the country attains power.
“As the calendar year 2022 closes, it draws us closer to the general election in 2023. We appreciate the tremendous improvement we have recorded in the conduct of the last gubernatorial election due to the new electoral law and the introduction of technology. We, however, must improve on observed conducts of the last election, especially regarding the vote buying and the refusal to participate in the election.
“I once again admonish you as I earlier did in my exhortation to collect your PVC and encourage others to do the same, go out on election day and vote with your conscience for someone that you believe would serve you and bring peace and tranquility to the country at large. Be models and examples for others at polling units by refusing every form of inducement.
“May the light of Christ that has never failed us, illuminate our lives and brighten our days through the hills, valleys, straight and crooked ways that lay ahead of us.
May the mysteries of Christ which the liturgical year bears fortify us and give us divine peace in the year 2023. May the infant birth of Christ which we celebrate in the mysteries of Christmas bring about a rebirth of peace, justice, love and true fear of God in our country and in the world at large. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a prosperous happy new year,” he wished Nigerians.
Meanwhile, in his Christmas message, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Emmanuel Badejo, urged Nigerians, mostly Christians to do more for their families and ensure there is true love among them.
In his message titled: “The Language of Christmas is Love,” the Bishop urged parents to take care of their children and that all should learn humility from the baby Jesus.
“At Christmas, we must remember that when we have done all we can in any circumstance, surrendering to God in complete trust like Mary is the best solution. It all adds up as the language of Christmas, the language of love.
“For God so loved the world that he sent his only son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (Jn 3:15). Isaiah said: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on the inhabitants of a country in shadow dark as death light has blazed forth” (Is 9:1). No matter what your situation may be, Jesus himself said “I shall not leave you orphans; I shall come to you” (Jn. 14:18). The world, no matter what, must rest on that hope,” Badejo said.
