President of CBCN, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze said such prophetic predictions by men of God were dangerous to the survival of democracy.
In a statement he issued in Abuja, Akubeze explained that such prophetic predictions have the potential to stir propaganda and whip sentiments that could derail the march towards peaceful and credible general elections in 2019.
According to the Archbishop “Our politicians should know that their obligation is towards the electorate, the Nigerian people.
“Politicians must avoid going to seek the outcome of the election from priests and pastors. They should go on campaign and let the Nigerian people know what they are capable of delivering.
“When politicians go to the Church, they should seek prayers from the priests and men of God to help them fulfil political manifestoes that will bring peace, justice and prosperity to all Nigerians.”
Stating that politicians in order climes look at opinion polls to recalibrate their message, he said “the pulpit is not the place to insult or praise politicians. The Church must remain non-partisan.
“We must not be involved in partisan politics. It does not help the Church nor does it help our society when men of God begin to endorse or reject political candidates.
“We in the Catholic Church, denounce anyone who uses the Church or sanctuary to make political prophecy or to endorse candidates for political offices.
“It is true that we must educate our people to vote for candidates who will promote religious freedom in every part of the country. We must educate our people to avoid turning politics to a theocracy; we are a democracy. The electorate make the determination of who to rule them.”
He pointed out that as 2018 comes to an end, the CBCN was looking forward to a peaceful election next year.
“We look forward to an election where Nigerians will come out and vote based on their conviction and not based on sentiments or acceptance of propaganda. We look forward with hope to next year, a year when Nigerians will judge the quality of the candidates for political offices by their track records and not vote based on declaration of prophecy by men of God,” he said.
