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CAN debunks media reports on the endorsement of Fayose for 2019 Presidential election

From recent online news media reports going viral, it was reported that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), ‘anointed’ the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to contest the 2019 General Elections under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

However, CAN in a letter signed by its Head of Media and Communications, Mr Adebayo Oladeji debunked media reports on the endorsement of Fayose by CAN, saying it emanated from a personal opinion of the body’s General Secretary, Musa Asake.

Some media reports had earlier quoted the General Secretary as saying:

“Unarguably, you have done what many of our politicians, Christians in particular, do not have the courage to do. This is why I agree with you, hook, line and sinker”.

Mr Oladeji stated that there was need for the letter because

“Since the letter was leaked to the media, for whatever reasons, some prominent Christian stakeholders have been making calls to CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, asking for clarifications, since there was never a time the matter was discussed by the leadership of the Association.

The Spokesman further, pointed out that Asake’s stance was his personal opinion, and should not be misunderstood as CAN’s opinion, adding that there was no time CAN authorised such letter.

“However, anyone who wants to run for any political office in Nigeria has our goodwill in CAN, and we would be praying for them if he or she is well qualified to contest, including the respectable Governor Fayose.

“Our prayer to God is to always get a godly, a detribalised and peace loving leader presiding over the affairs of the Country”.

In a related development, CAN’s Director of National Issue, Bishop Stephen Adegbite said it was not in CAN’s character to endorse politicians but pray to God to choose the right leaders for the Country.

“It has come to our notice that it is in the media that our Secretariat wrote a letter endorsing the candidature of Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State for President come 2019. This is a farce and should be completely disregarded by all and sundry.

“CAN, as we all know, is the umbrella body of all Christians in Nigeria; so, how on earth can the organisation come out to support or endorse the candidature of anyone?”

He urged all Christians to pray for Nigeria and the leadership at the helm of affairs to succeed in delivering the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians not minding their ethnic or religious backing.

Role of CAN in Nigerian Politics

The Christian Association of Nigeria has earlier been accused of endorsing and supporting the then candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, but the body denied the allegation saying Christians, who are members of the Association belong to different political parties, stating that it was surprising to hear that CAN was campaigning for one Candidate.

The body was also accused of receiving Six Billion Naira and/or Seven Billion Naira, to canvass for votes for the re-election bid of then President, a claim which the association debunked.

They were also accused of circulating a ‘WhatsApp message’ warning Christians not to vote for a Muslim Presidential candidate in the election, adding that a vote for a Muslim President was tantamount to automatic Islamization of Nigeria.

Under Ayo Oritsejafor, CAN was seen as an arm of the Peoples’ Democratic Party. Meanwhile, CAN have faulted the present Government of President Muhammadu Buhari, of trying to Islamize Nigeria

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