Yakubu Busari
A group operating under the aegis of Concern Christians of Nigeria has decried what it terms as the unholy acts being perpetrated by the umbrella body of the Christians in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in Nigeria over leadership interest.
Addressing Journalists in Jos on Monday, the spokesman of the group, Rev. Luke Shehu expressed concern over the protracted crisis that has bedeviled CAN over its National election, on who succeeds Pastor Ayo Oristejeafor.
He expressed disappointment with the leadership of the CAN, stressing that instead of the leadership to rise up and address the challenges confronting the Christians, especially victims of terrorism in Northern Nigeria; it is busy soiling its name for parochial interests.
“While resisting attempts to resolve the conflict from the election, the CAN leadership is insistent upon ratifying the election at the National council meeting on Tuesday, 19th July 2016.
“The lack of willingness by the CAN leadership to resolve the issue regarding election is further dividing CAN and leading to distrust and insecurity.
This is evident in the various interests, actions and publications for and against each of the parties.
“The leadership of the CAN has resisted demand for peaceful resolution that will lead to evolution and transit to a new leadership through due process and in accordance to CAN constitution, we are afraid that money and other forms of manipulations have been used in CAN elections.
“We are against Christian leadership that abuses both the exegetical and contextual principle of the message of ‘grace’ in other to perpetuate or cover up evil under any guise”.
He however called on proponents of allies of the CAN president to desist from misleading Christians that the presidency or the federal government is interested in a candidate for the CAN presidency.
He warned that should the leadership of the CAN throw caution to the wind, the Northern CAN would be compelled to revert to the pre-independence Northern Nigerian Christian Association ( NNCA), which according to him was the umbrella body of the unifying Christians in Northern Nigeria since the colonial administration.
“We plead with the well-meaning Christian leaders, both Lay/laity and other relevant organizations concerned to prevail on the current CAN leadership and the five blocs in CAN to restrain and desist from the plan to impose a leadership on the CAN as this may lead to disunity and breech of peace”.
