The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), 19 Northern States and the FCT, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has called for mandatory psychological test for Nigerians seeking elective political offices.

Hayab, who also chairs the National Patrons Forum of the Royal Ambassadors of Nigeria (RAN), made the call on Saturday at the Royal Ambassadors Men’s Missionary Union summit held in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.

He noted that many leadership failures in the country are rooted in emotional and mental instability among office holders.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Higher Ground’, the cleric delivered a keynote address titled ‘Overcoming Evil Vices: A Guide for the Young Child’, in which he decried the erratic behavior of some politicians, a development he said often points to underlying psychological challenges.

“When you hear the way some of our leaders talk, you begin to question their mental fitness. Governance is too sensitive to be handed over to individuals who lack empathy, emotional control, or sound judgment.

“Just like we recommend psychological evaluations before marriage, we should apply the same principle to public service, where the actions of one individual can affect millions,” Hayab said.

He argued that untreated mental health issues not only wreck families but also endanger the stability of entire nations when left unchecked in leadership circles.

The CAN leader equally cautioned Nigerian youths against indulging in drug abuse, cybercrime, violence and other destructive behaviors

According to him, such vices erode the youth’s potential for greatness. “Drugs deceive and destroy,” he said.

He added, “Yahoo’ is not a career path. If you want to rise to higher ground, you must embrace discipline, hard work, and faith in God.”

Addressing gender concerns, he encouraged girls to prioritize education over early marriage and urged boys to respect and protect the dignity of their female peers.

“Education empowers the mind and prepares you to solve real problems. It is not just about securing a job but about building a purposeful life,” he added.

Hayab further advised young people to seek out mentors of integrity and surround themselves with positive influences that foster growth and godly values.

Earlier, Director of the Royal Ambassadors, Sabon Tasha Chapter, Mr. Pleni Thomas Magaji, commended Hayab’s forthrightness, describing his message as timely and courageous.

He noted that the annual summit was organized to nurture young Christians with Biblical principles and sound leadership ethics for national transformation.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Benue State, has commenced the registration of members into the party.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that the party was recently adopted by the opposition leaders plotting to oust President Bola Tinubu in the next general elections.

The party’s Interim Chairman in Benue, Terngu Tsegba flagged open the registration process on Friday, at the party’s state Secretariat in Makurdi.

The registration was launched shortly after the inaugural meeting of the ADC state Committee and the 23 Local Government Chairmen.

At the event, Tsegba charged the LG party Chairmen to take the ADC to the rural dwellers and open their arms to embrace all people willing to join in the coalition movement.

He called on all Nigerians to come out enmass to register and join the ADC as the party belongs to the people and is poised to rescue the nation.

OSUNDAILY NG gathered that as of Saturday, July 12, thousands of politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, and aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress have joined the ADC.

Some supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, have reportedly assaulted a Labour Party, LP, polling agent, Spencer Dominic, at Polling Unit 027, along Yaya Abatan Road in the Ogba area of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government.

The altercation allegedly broke out when the APC chairmanship candidate, Usman Akanbi Hamzat, arrived at the unit to cast his vote. Eyewitnesses said APC loyalists confronted the LP agent and ordered him to move away from behind the electoral officers as the candidate approached the ballot area.

According to reports, the confrontation escalated when the LP agent resisted the instruction. He was allegedly dragged, slapped, and shouted at by the APC supporters, all in the presence of security personnel who reportedly did not intervene.

Order was eventually restored following the intervention of some bystanders who stepped in to stop the assault.

In a brief interview, Dominic explained that he was stationed behind the electoral officers to observe proceedings and ensure transparency in the voting process.

“I was monitoring those coming to vote and checking their voter cards. When the chairman came and told me to move, I declined because I had a duty to observe. That’s when some APC members attacked me,” he said.

However, an APC chieftain, Gbenga Adebowale, defended the party’s position, claiming that the LP agent was violating polling protocol by standing too close to election officials.

“The council chairman is the incumbent and was simply casting his vote. The agent had no right to confront him or ask for his voter card,” Adebowale argued.

He also stated, “Agents are not supposed to stand directly behind electoral officers. There are clear boundaries for agents at polling units. His actions were confrontational and disruptive.”