Northern Christians vow to vote for Obi, denounce Kastina based activist over ‘inciting’ video

The Conference Of Northern Christians And Minority, CNCM, has called on the police to immediately arrest Kaduna-based human rights activist, Shehu Mahdi over an alleged inciting video he made.

Christians in the North said the video is divisive and capable of causing disunity in the region.

A video which has gone viral captured Shehu Mahdi advising Christians in the North against voting for a presidential candidate of southern extraction in the election.

In the video, already in the social media space, the Katsina-born activist was seen urging Northern Christians not to vote for Christian Candidates from the South, particularly the Labour Party, LP, candidate, Mr Peter Obi, purporting that a vote for him would amount to a vote for Biafra, and a secessionist.

Madhi further claimed that Northerners – both Christians and Muslims – are being discriminated against in the South East, South West, and South-South, hence his despicable outing.

In a statement by its National President, Dr Bitrus Yakubu, the Christian group condemned in strong terms the statements made by Mahdi video, stating that it can cause a religious crisis in the country.

The group said that Peter Obi was the choice of millions of Northerners, adding that nothing could sway them from voting for him.

Part of the statement read: “It does appear, from the disgraceful outing, that Mahdi has chosen to remain slaves to the past, as the viral video regrettably suggests.

“Northern Christians, having been treated as outcasts for such a long period, have chosen to break away from decades of unfulfilled agitation for integration.

“We wish to conclude by informing Shehu Mahdi and his sponsors, that not even ten million sentimental people like him can sway Northern Christians from voting for Peter Obi.

”Again, for us as Northern Christians and minorities, Mahdi’s statement cannot make us alter our resolve, because we have suffered hatred, pain, agony, and marginalisation from people of his likes, and we have, therefore, taken a position to vote for H.E Peter Obi of the Labour Party in the forthcoming election”.

While also maintaining that Mahdi’s action breached the UN charter on peace and harmony, the group also called on the international community to declare him a person of interest.

“It is our view, that his action and tendency are at variance with the United Nations’ charter on human and people’s rights.

“We, therefore, call on the international community to, without further ado, declare Mahdi a person of interest,” it added.