Nigeria, July 21, 2016 – Northern Christians today debunked insinuation that all Christians in the northern part of the country are pulling out of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over controversy that trailed the just concluded election into CAN-Presidency.
But the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reiterated that the election which produced the current CAN President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle was all inclusive and peaceful, adding that they stand by the election and the new leadership of CAN.
Speaking on behalf of other Northern State CAN Chairmen, the Borno State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Mohammed Abubakar Naga, told Journalists in an interview in Abuja that those who peddled such rumours were agent of disunity.
Bishob Naga made it cleared that all the statutory leaders of CAN in Northern Nigeria were at the CAN election; the Zonal and State Chairmen were all present.
“The election was peacefully conducted. It has been one of the peaceful elections conducted. So, the election was sincere and honest. Pulling out of CAN? There is nothing of that nature. Those who are saying this are just agents of division and disunity.
“These are the chairmen of northern Nigeria 19 states plus Abuja making 20. We are their representatives, there have never been such a meeting and nobody speak on our behalf, except we seat there as executives of Northern CAN.”
They also commended the immediate past administration of CAN led by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, for standing by the northern Christians during the hit of Boko Haram insurgency, calling on the incumbent CAN President, Ayokunle to emulate his predecessor.
“The past administration was one of the most wonderful administration the country, community had ever experienced, he (Oritsejafor) speak on our behalf and was sincerely known in the interior of the north. In fact in the face of insurgency he had visited us, sent materials and rightly there in the heart of deadly insurgency. So, it had been a wonderful administration and we are praying that the incoming administration (of CAN) will do more of what we have experienced,” Naga said.
