Presidential flag bearers of major political parties yesterday took turns to enjoin Christian faithful to intensify prayers against the myriad of problems facing the country.

Peter Obi of the Labour Party, PDP’s Ifeanyi Okowa and Adewole Adebayo of the SDP spoke at the 12th General Assembly of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Adebayo asserted that the present challenges bedevilling the country were “ordained for our time”.

“The problems that the church is facing today is the problem ordained for our time. They are not problems that should distract us because God remains constant,” Mr Adebayo said.

He urged Christians to pray for the unity and peace of the church and the nation.

“This is because the Church of Christ is not one side of Nigeria. It is not an opposition. It is a blessing to all Nigerians.

“The Church of Christ is the reason why Nigeria will be saved. The blessings go to all Nigerians, both Christians and non-Christians,” Mr Adebayo said.

He also advised clerics to pray for God’s will and not concentrate on predictions regarding the 2023 elections.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, who congratulated CAN for the peaceful transition in its leadership, urged the association to be united, saying, “the family of Christ is one, please let us be united “.

“Nigerians, please remember your country in prayers. Remember those of us going for public offices in prayers for us to use public offices and public money for public goods,” he said.

Similarly, Ifeanyi Okowa, the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said there was no doubt Nigeria was going through a lot in terms of security and economy.

He reiterated the need for Christians and their leaders to stand in for the country through prayers.

(NAN)