Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned media reports that it has changed its position regarding the same-faith ticket in the forthcoming 2023 presidential election, insisting that it still maintains its position against the same-faith ticket for presidential candidates.
In a statement signed by special assistant on media to the CAN president, Luminous Jannamike, the association said the attention of the leadership of CAN, has been drawn to a media report titled, “How Tinubu met, resolved Muslim-Muslim ticket with CAN”, which claimed that the apex Christian body has changed its position regarding the same-faith ticket.
He described the media report as ridiculous, malicious, untrue, and should be disregarded in its entirety by all reasonable members of the society.
“For the records, CAN took a position against the same-faith ticket imbroglio under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, its immediate past national president, and as a matter of fact, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stands on that same position,” he said.
He said CAN cannot agree with every decision taken by politicians and political parties, but it respects their right to reach conclusions on issues that affect their electoral fortunes so long as they are in accord with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act (2022).
“For the umpteenth time, CAN reiterates that it is non-partisan, but remains willing to partner with all leaders and other relevant stakeholders towards achieving unity, peace, and progress in our nation,” he stated.
Jannamike further stated that consequently, the umbrella Christian organisation cannot be antagonistic to any well-meaning political party or group as the nation warms up for a fresh round of elections in 2023 as claimed in the said report.
“In the same vein, it strongly condemns the attempt to make a mountain out of a molehill with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s presence at the 70th birthday celebration of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
“The event was public and the friends of the celebrant and other good-spirited Nigerians donated to the building of The Kukah Centre, which is designed to be a veritable platform to propagate and promote the ideals of democracy and responsible leadership through research and intellectualism.
“The donations, which went directly to The Kukah Centre, have nothing to do with CAN. It is therefore mischievous to insinuate that it was a sort of bribe money for Christian leaders to make a U-turn on its stance against the same-faith ticket,” CAN stated.
He further said that as a faith-based organisation, CAN maintains that its conscience cannot be bought and its prophetic voice cannot be silenced with money.
“Finally, we call on political parties and their candidates to put the nation first in their considerations and prepare to serve the people with earnestness and humility,” he said.
