Elections invite us to cast our vote as citizens and choose the best possible public leaders to meet the exigencies of our present time and circumstances.

Whether voting for president of the country or for state governors, citizens want public leaders who are decent, hard workers, committed to the common good, respectful of human life and dignity at all times, devoted to truth and justice, knowledgeable and able to work with others. As a father of some youngsters learning life’s ways, I want public leaders who inspire and give good example.

The order is tall but not impossible. Anyone with some discipline can embody these traits. We teach them in our homes and schools. We hear about them in our churches. We assure our children and grandchildren that they are attainable.

We cultivate these traits to ensure civility. We honour those who live by them. When people cultivate them to bring others to Christ, explicitly proclaiming the Gospel and relying on God’s grace, we speak of holiness.

Holiness, however, is not a requirement to run for public office. Neither is perfection. Candidates for public office excel at extolling their accomplishments and strengths. We also learn about their imperfections. After all, they are human like anyone else.

Acknowledging the human side of political leaders is important. Treating them as messianic characters is idolatrous. Expecting flawlessness is naive.

It is common to frame political campaigns in “good vs. evil” language. Not surprising. This motif permeates much of our literary, religious and pop culture imagination.

However, such dualism becomes toxic, even dangerous, when it reduces people to one or the other.

As a believer in Catholicism, the church tradition affirms that every person is intrinsically good, and yet as finite beings we must contend with our imperfections and limitations. No candidate for public office will match the noblest expectations of religious groups, and that is fine. No one has ever done so. At the very least, we trust that candidates who subscribe to any religious tradition would draw from its wisdom for the good of all.

The Nigerian political system is not a theocracy but a democracy. Not perfect, yet still a system that in principle guarantees that anyone may elect or be elected without religious litmus tests or coercive forces, secular or religious.

Anambra Catholics understand this. Several years ago, many in this nation doubted that Catholics could participate actively in public life. Well, we have, and have done it well.

For whom should the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) delegates at the primary elections for the November 2021 governorship poll vote?

The answer to this question lies ultimately in each individual’s conscience, “the most secret core and sanctuary” of a human person. The responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience.

As an APGA member planning to vote as a faithful citizen, I will heed the call for a new dawn to inform my conscience. I will also exercise my personal responsibility to study comprehensively the aspirants, and their manifestos.

I pray for wisdom to vote for public leaders who, despite their imperfections, I can deem in good and informed conscience closest to being decent, hard workers, committed to the common good, respectful of human life and dignity at all times, devoted to truth and justice, knowledgeable and able to work with others. People I can present to my children as inspirational and exemplary on matters of public service. Therefore, I invite you to give all your support to the divine mandate bearer Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo. My conscience is clearly tuned up. He will deliver good governance and productive leadership. All APGA faithful should see it as a collective responsibility to make Nwankpo the party’s flag bearer ahead of the November 6 governorship elections. Rise up, do not be deceived into working against your conscience. Come, let’s support the “New Face of Hope” in Anambra. Let’s support the man with profound achievements, and vast knowledge, the gentleman with the midas touch to succeed our amiable Gov Willie Obiano. Let’s converge on the parlour of brotherhood, drop our divisive tendencies, morbid jealousy, and pay attention to our conscience. Let’s support Nwankpo for governor.

Ekenem!

•Dr. Harris Chuma Odili is the DG, Media/Publicity & Strategy, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo Campaign Organization.