CAN Urges Nigerians to Vote Leaders with Fear Of God, Holds Her 2023 Mega Prayer Rally, tagged "Thy Will Be Done On Earth Oh Lord" 23/02/2023 ...As Enugu State CAN Officers, Bloc Leaders and all Church Fathers Condemned the recent killings in the state

Ogene Romanus

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Enugu State Chapter, held her annual Prayer rally to offer prayers for God's intervention for free, fair and peaceful elections in the 2023 elections in Nigeria using Enugu State as a point of contact while asking God for wisdom, honesty, moral values for leaders. They prayed against insecurity, criminality, bloodshed and other social vices in Nigeria.

The Chairman of Enugu state CAN, Rev. Amb. Emmanuel Ositadinma Edeh, thanked the State Officers, the Five Bloc Leaders, the Seventeen LGA Chairmen, the Two Hundred and Sixty Ward Leaders, the Church Fathers, the Women Wing (WOWICAN) and the Youth Wing (YOWICAN) for their relentless efforts and total commitment to all our activities as a Christian Community in Enugu State, and for their joy and zeal, which we demonstrated in assembling to pray for our Nation and Enugu State.

Rev. Edeh expressed the organisation's concern in the level of insecurity in Nigeria and in the South East Region, enjoined Nigerians to vote for leaders with fear of God in them, while praying that God will take control through the electioneering process.

The CAN Chairman added that Enugu State has always been rated the number one state in Nigeria in terms of safety the state enjoys. He frowned at the recent killings in some parts of Enugu State, stating that Enugu is not known for such. 

Speaking on the significance of Prayer in times like this, Rev Edeh explained that the Theme of the Prayer Rally which is "THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH OH LORD" reflects the Nigerian situation which he said could be likened to the time of Suffering, Injustice and Insecurity and many more painful situations during the days of Christ on earth. 

"These Socio-Economic, Religious and Political instabilities led the Disciples to ask their Master, Jesus Christ to teach them how to Pray effectively. Christ did not hesitate in teaching them the pattern of effective prayer lifestyle, because He knew that, that was the secret of unbroken relationship with the Father in heaven and a victorious living here on earth" he said.

He called on all Christians in Enugu State and beyond to join in effective prayers for Nigeria to overcome all the challenges facing our Nation.

The guest preacher, Bishop Andrew E. Igwe, the Regional Supretendent CAC South East, Nigeria, in his words of admonition enjoined Church leaders and Christians all over Nigeria not to relent in prayers that the perfect will of God shall prevail as the burden still remains on the church of Christ.

"It is very certain that at the end of this election, leaders must emerge. But we pray that God will give us a man after his heart, a man that will stand in the gap for millions of people, a man that will have the spirit and fear of God, a man that will have listening ears. All these we ask, through Christ Jesus Our Lord, Amen!" He prayed.

Ministers of God, Church Fathers and other Christian Faithfuls who gathered in Enugu to offer prayers for God's intervention in our nation include, the first Chairman of CAN in Enugu State and a retired Archbishop of Methodist Archdiocese of Enugu, His Grace, Most Rev Dr Ogo, Bishop Dr Obi Onubogu, Bishop Dr Gowin Nnaji, Bishop Dr Ibe O Ibe, Bishop Dr CNC Onyeledo, Rev Dr Chidi Madubuko and other highly respected Bishops and Fathers too numerous to mention. 

The Bloc Leaders who graced the occasion include, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev Dr CVC Onaga of the CSN, who was represented by Rev Fr Dr Anthony Oluba, the Archbishop, Methodist Church Nigeria, Archdiocese of Enugu, His Grace, Most Rev Barr Christopher N Ede of the CCN, Bishop Dr Goddy Madu of the CPFN/PFN, Super Apostle Engr Andick Egwuatu of the OAIC, Rev Dr Egelonu Obinali of the TEKAN/ECWA Bloc.

The LGA Chairmen and their Secretaries, the WOWICAN Chairperson, Barr Mrs Ngozi Avah, the Chairman of YOWICAN, Bro Samuel Chekubechukwu Ani, 

other Invited Special Guests, the Secretary, CAN Enugu State, Barr Onuora Okeke and a host of others.