Ahead of the 2015 general elections, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Ahmed Makarfi, has called on Nigerians to vote based on ability, rather than religious affiliation.

The Chairman, who was speaking to a delegation of Arewa Christians’ Political Forum (ACPF) at his residence in Kaduna, advised the group to ensure the unity of the North by not championing overzealous politicians based on religious sentiments, which was capable of destroying the corporate existence in the region.

“As a nation, the basic requirement for good governance is security, and this requires all stakeholders to pursue it holistically,’’ he said.

Makarfi added that voting for candidates with ability would promote peace and unity in the country.

Speaking on the ACPF’s visit, spokesperson of the Forum, Victor Bobai, said that it was in line with the wider consultations by the forum to sensitise and mobilise political support in preparations for the 2015 elections.

He said that the inequality and non-effective representation of Christians in the North led to the emergence of the forum.

Bobai described the forum as a voice for marginalised Christians from the Northern states.

“Christian youth in the North should be given equal opportunities like their Muslim counterparts in the region.

There is need for the government to balance up developmental programmes in the region to avoid acrimony,’’ he said.

Recently, the group has been conferring with several Northern leaders with political and economic influence to come to their aid in ensuring fairness.