The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, His Grace Ignatius Kaigama, has admonished Christians to pray fervently for credible elections, peace, and unity of the nation.

The cleric, gave the admonition at the evening mass at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church New Site Estate Lugbe, Airport Road, Abuja to celebrate the 2023 Ash Wednesday.

According to the Archbishop, there are some issues that can be resolved through fasting and prayers and our nation's elections are one of such difficult Issues I believe prayer and family can do a lot

” We pray we have an election not manipulated or tale guided by anyone that people are free and safe to vote, and their votes should count.”

He advised INEC officials, security, and the judiciary not to manipulate the results.

He urged Christians to cultivate the virtues of humility, forgiveness, and respect for others during this year’s Lenten season.

Kaigama explained that human beings were God’s creatures and therefore, the virtues of integrity, honesty, and the welfare of others should tower higher.

“When a Christian passes through the period of Lent, his or her lifestyle should change for good, and I expect that when a Christian passes through Lent, he should not be the same.

“He should be a new person because Lent should be a period during which we are renewed; we are recreated; we become new people, and being new people, certainly our relationship with God improves,” he said.

He urged believers to be discreet when carrying out their Lenten obligations of fasting, prayers, and almsgiving.

“Lent is a season for repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and love. That is why Christians worldwide mark Ash Wednesday as the beginning of the Lenten season,” he stated.

Christians should increase their prayers and fast for a better nation.

The Catholic priest in charge of the church, Rev James Ali, reminded Christians that, in spite of their sins, God always gives man the privilege or chance to seek repentance, adding that such an opportunity should not be abused.

He urged Christians to return to God and see the moment of lent as a retreat to do better, fast, pray and give alms.

For the general elections, he advised voters to vote for persons with credibility and who will turn the country from consumption to production.