Bishop Benjamin Kwashi of the Anglican Diocese, Jos, has advocated life imprisonment for any political office holder caught diverting funds allocated for the development of education, health matters and the economy.
Kwashi, who is also the Northern Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the National Conference of Northern Nigerian Christian Politicians (NNCP)
He said that funds earmarked for the three sectors were important and their judicious usage would directly touch on the lives of the people.
“If money is allocated to develop education, the economy and health matters, please don’t divert it.
“I want to propose that any politician who divert money allocated to these sectors should be served with life imprisonment,” Kwashi said.
He urged politicians to use the opportunity offered them to assist the less privileged, street orphans, widows, the sick and the needy in the society because God cares for them.
“The first rule in democracy is to admit that everybody is equal before the Lord. Therefore everybody is equal in the eyes of the law before God
“Political and democratic leadership and governments at all level of human existence stand to succeed or fail at the foot of justice, equity and righteousness,” he said.
The Bishop urged pastors to encourage the youths to venture into politics.
He said: “if we are going to change Nigeria, it is no longer going to be by the barrel of guns, it is by politics.
“Righteous men and women are sitting down and don’t want to go into politics.
“Yes politics is dirty; but that is where God wants you to be,” he said, adding that one of the things that made people to be irrelevant in politics was lack of vision and agenda.
He disclosed that since the 2001 crisis in Jos, his family had been taking care of over 400 irrespective of their religion.
The clergyman identified the major problems facing the country as corruption and insecurity and urged Christian politicians to shun corruption.
Highlight of the conference was the reception to honour the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogora, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal. (NAN)