Aba, Abia State - The President of the International Council of Archbishops and Bishops for Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches, *His Imperial Royal Eminence Archbishop Sir Benny Danson*, has declared that Nigeria will be great again if Nigerians do the right thing by voting for the right candidate in the 2027 general election.
Archbishop Danson made the declaration during a World Press Conference on the State of the Nation organized by the International Council of Archbishops and Bishops for Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches in collaboration with Rapha Faith International Ministerial Network and Victory For Atiku/Ministers Forum 2027, held in Aba, Abia State.
Addressing journalists, His Imperial Royal Eminence said after a careful assessment of the state of the nation and all the presidential candidates emerging ahead of 2027, *His Excellency Atiku Abubakar under the African Democratic Congress (ADC)* stands out as the most experienced and most capable to give Nigeria a better future and prepare a smooth handover to the younger generation.
According to the revered cleric, while all presidential aspirants for 2027 are good and wonderful people with different intentions, Atiku Abubakar possesses a rare combination of experience, capacity, empathy and national acceptance.
"Looking at the life and the nature of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, you will see a unifier and a man that has no discrimination, no matter your religious background and no matter where you are coming from," Archbishop Danson said.
He noted that Nigeria needs a leader who understands the pains of the ordinary citizen at a time when the cost of fuel, school fees and house rent have become unbearable for many families. He described Atiku as a man with a sympathetic heart who is willing to take any risk to make Nigeria a better nation.
The Council President decried what he described as years of false accusations against Atiku Abubakar without evidence. He said, "I want to say to Nigeria that most times the stones that was rejected will end up becoming a chief corner stone. As far as I am concerned, Atiku Abubakar has been falsely accused with all manner of false accusations. I am not saying he is a perfect politician in Nigeria. All the years I have known him I think he will be better off than those who have messed up this country."
Shedding light on the origin of the allegations, Archbishop Danson recalled that the former Vice President's political ordeal began when he refused to support former President Olusegun Obasanjo's third term agenda. "This was the crime he committed that has made him to be labeled a thief, a thief without an evidence of whatever he stole. Till date no financial crime organization has been able to bring him to book. Let's think, should we follow the mere allegations of men? Do we just allow people to deny us of somebody who can deliver this nation and put it on the right track?"
Responding to critics who argue that Atiku has contested several times without success, the Archbishop asked, "Did Nigeria give him the chance? Why can't Nigeria give him the chance to prove himself worthy or not worthy for just 4 years, let's see what he can offer, let's see whether the things he is speaking forth can come to reality. Sometimes those you look down on end up being the deliverer."
He therefore pleaded with Nigerians across all divides to give Atiku Abubakar a chance to correct the errors of the past, stressing that while he may not solve all problems, he will do far better and rectify many of the current challenges.
"I want to plead with Nigerians, I want to plead with the church of God, mosque and all religious leaders and traditional rulers and citizens of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Let us drop sentiment and look at capacity, look at the man with a genuine heart to rescue his people. I am not saying that other presidential aspirants are not good but I am saying never look down on that stone because he may be the pillar that can hold the building tomorrow."
Archbishop Danson also expressed confidence in the proposed pairing of Atiku Abubakar with Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi as Vice President, describing Amaechi as a good Vice President for Nigeria who will complement Atiku's vision for a better Nigeria.
He concluded by calling on well-meaning Nigerians to vote ADC, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi in 2027, urging citizens to give him a trial and the benefit of the doubt to prove what he can offer the nation.
