The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by Samson Ayokunle, has said lopsided appointments, where some States have 30 persons and another State have less than three, will not give any sense of belonging to such State. The CAN leader also asked that the Federal Government pulls out of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in observance of the constitution.
Ayokunle stated these during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, adding that the exit of Nigeria from International Religious Organisations is to maintain the Country’s status as a secular Nation.
He explained other concerns to include delay in payment of salaries to workers, herdsmen attack on Nigerians, armed robbery, uneven appointments, militancy, kidnapping amongst others, emphasizing that the demands had become imperative in the interest of peace and togetherness of all citizens.
“Beyond the promises, Nigerians want to see physical changes that will make all of us to be happy”.
CAN while stating that the body has been supportive of the Buhari-led Government said:
“when you see people speaking their mind; you know that those people don’t want things to scatter. The people that don’t talk are the enemies of the Nation. When you see things going wrong, you quickly speak out so that they can be corrected so that the Nation can move together as one”.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement signed by the President, said instructions had been given for the submission of names of all Heads of Parastatals, in order to address the claims of lop-sidedness.
He pointed out that the administration would address rising concerns of corruption, insecurity and injustices in various parts of the Country, as well as reform the police and judiciary, describing both institutions as critical for the security and stability of the nation.
“We need a good police force and judiciary to really maintain the legitimacy and the confidence of the populace in governance”.
Meanwhile, CAN was earlier reported to have faulted the N100bn Sukuk fund, claiming it is part of plans to Islamize Nigeria, but Ayokunle made the body’s stand clear, saying there is no demon in Sukuk bond, but its constitutionality is questionable.
“No CAN member is opposed to any Muslim running their own financial system, but it is wrong for the Government to be the one who will be promoting it and initiating it.
“It is a violation of the constitution. We have talked to the Government to keep the sanctity of the constitution, which will guide the behaviour and actions of everyone. They must be able to keep everybody together”.
President Buhari’s willingness to check for loopsidedness in appointments is seen by many as another sign that the President himself may be more listening than some of his spokesmen’s moves may have suggested in the past.
