Religion can be used as a tool for nation building rather than promoting religious sentiments to the detriment of national interests.

A cross section of Christian leaders made the submission in Abeokuta while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the essence of the “Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC Sunday”, declared by the leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN.

As preparations for the 2023 general elections gather momentum, there has been an increase in the level of awareness from different quarters, on the need for eligible voters to obtain the Permanent Voter’s Card, PVC, as a prerequisite for participation in the elections.

Clergymen in Ogun State also complied with the directives of the PFN that member churches should give priority to educating the faithful on the patriotic responsibility of obtaining PVC to enable them to vote for credible leaders.

Those who spoke with Radio Nigeria commended the initiative of the Church leaders, describing it as a means of using religion as the tool to strengthen democracy and boost national development.

The Abeokuta District Overseer and Southwest Regional Coordinator of the Foursquare Gospel Church, the Reverend Adedimeji Adegbesan said continuous education and creating awareness among the faithful, that those who had attained the voting age must obtain their PVC was necessary to enable them to exercise their civic responsibilities during elections.

The Reverend Adegbesan explained the operation show your PVCs Initiative was not meant to turn worshippers back from attending service but to encourage more people to obtain their cards.

Also, the pastor in charge of Upper Room temple, Foursquare Gospel church Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, Pastor Ayoyinka Akinyosoye who stressed the need for the faithful to intensify their prayers towards the restoration of peace to the nation said the collection of PVC was essential for every child of God.

Pastor Sunday Aderibigbe of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Southwest region 1 headquarters, Asero Abeokuta, said there was a memo from the national headquarters of the church on the need to constantly remind the faithful to collect their PVCs.

In separate contributions, the Pastor in charge of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Agape mega Parish, Olorunsogo, Abeokuta, Pastor Kazeem Olasupo and venerable Emmanuel Ajayi of the African Church, Solution Camp, Sam Ewang Estate, Abeokuta said the church would not relent in educating the faithful to collect their cards as part of the civic duties.

The religious leaders were also unanimous in their call on Christians to be security conscious while appealing to government at all levels to do more in ensuring the security of lives and property of the people.

Olusegun Folarin