MEMBERS of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kwara State have demanded a fair share in the next local council polls in the state.

CAN, through its former secretary, Dr. Olusola Ajolore, Thursday in a chat with The Guardian in Ilorin, believed that Christians in the state have allegedly not been given enough recognition while sharing political offices “as it ought to be.”

Ajolore, who disclosed that Christians in Kwara have a sizeable population that could determine winners in any election in the state, warned that they may henceforth be forced to vote along the lines of their faith in future elections.

In a similar vein, Lagos State chapter of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has declared that it is only fair and just and in line with equity that a person of Christian faith should emerge as the next governor of the state in 2015.

Speaking at a press conference at the state secretariat, Guiding Light Assembly, Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, the state chairman of the organisation, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, said it is time for a person of the Christian faith who is tested and has the fear of God to rule the state after 16 consecutive years of rule by the Muslims.

Bamgbola said: “We believe by the spirit of God in us, that it is time for a person of the Christian faith, who is tested and has the fear of God, to rule this great state after the second term of Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2015”.

Ajolore of Kwara CAN alleged that the reports reaching him showed that only one slot out of the existing 16 local councils in Kwara was allocated to a Christian ahead of next month’s council polls in the state.

“I don’t want to mention the name of any political party at this stage for its insensitive nature to the existence of Christians in Kwara. But what we are saying is that, if the same party should continually toe this line, we know what to do.”

Ajolore commended Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for his leadership qualities in the state, adding that his current good endeavours would be a veritable factor that would guarantee a new Kwara where quality rather than sentiments would count in appointment issues.

Lagos PFN said: “We do believe that this is what God is saying now, because He is the God of justice and equity. He is a fair God, who knows the end from the beginning as the Alpha and Omega.

“It is only fair and just, that in line with God’s will, we all come together (Christians, Muslims and all others of different faiths) as stakeholders, to elect a bona-fide Christian of integrity who will take over the mantle of rulership from Fashola in 2015 by the grace of God.”

Bamgbola said that Christians, who form the majority of the population of the state, have over the past two tenures supported the former governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the incumbent, Raji Fashola, whom he, however, described as great and visionary leaders and the new face of Lagos with their votes.

He, therefore, called for same support for a Christian governor in the next election especially from the ruling party in the state, in line with equity.

He noted: “It is time for us to reason together”, he said. “We are saying that by 2015, it will be 16 years that we have been voting for Muslims to rule the state. Now, we believe it is time for a Christian to rule Lagos.

“If the ruling party in the state decides to field a Muslim candidate, there are other parties that will field Christians. But what we are saying is that we are going to vote for a Christian. Let it be known. The church will vote for a Christian in the next election.”

He called on all Christians in Lagos State to brace up for the coming elections by registering and participating actively in it and also urged Muslims to return the gesture shown them in the last two elections.