The Clerics Congress of Nigeria (CCN), a Christian group, has endorsed Bola Tinubu as its prefered candidate for the February 25 presidential election.

The group’s leader, Bishop Timothy Cheren, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Cheren said that the group’s action was based on Mr Tinubu’s competence, capacity and possession of the needed vision for a progressive leadership and nation building.

“The expression of preference and endorsement are not strange in any given political evolution.

“That is why we are here today as a body of Christian leaders across the nation under the auspices of the Clerics Congress of Nigeria (CCN), a body comprised of Christian leaders to make a clear statement on our preferred candidate.

“This candidate will change the trajectory of leadership in Nigeria at this critical moment of our national journey.

“After a cursory look at the presidential aspirant and without any dent of sentiment attached, we have found one candidate suitable to deliver the required needed result, needed to take our nation out of the present predicament and usher her into required development that will take us to the next level,” he said.

Mr Cheren said that Mr Tinubu was the only candidate without shadow of doubt in the February 25 election.

He said that the group decision was predicated on his track record of past performance and his ability to unite the country and fight insecurity.

He said Mr Tinubu’s economic programme of development and ability to build a steering leadership succession distinguished him above all other presidential candidates.

“Looking at his track record, in Lagos, Bola Tinubu succeeded in turning Lagos into a mega city and an economic giant in Nigeria and Africa.

“This legacy of development has continued in Lagos, he has build bridges of unity across the country, and this are qualities that help us to draw our conclusions.

“On issues of Moslem-Moslem ticket , that has engender debate, he said the CCN have carefully considered the issues, and realised that the reason was more of elections winning strategy,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Tinubu, represented by Senator Grace Bent, commended the clerics for rising above religious sentiments in making their choice.

“Both Senators Tinubu and Shettima are men of honour who are needed at the helms of affairs at the highest level in Nigeria today,” he said.

(NAN)