CAN PRESS STATEMENT

Re: Petition on the misappropriation of N2 Billion given by the presidential candidate of Labour party, Mr Peter Obi to Churches under the umbrella of CAN.

The attention of the National leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to a purported letter currently in circulation on social media, alleging that a certain sum of N2bn was given by the presidential candidate of Labour party, Mr Peter Obi to Churches under the umbrella of CAN.

I use this medium to categorically state that the so-called letter of petition reportedly signed by one Pastor Frank Onwumere and addressed to my office is illogical and can best be described as a failed attempt to drag the apex Christian body into the politics of 2023. However, we will investigate the source of the letter in the interest of the public.

To set the records straight, I am not aware of any N2bn given to Churches in Nigeria to mobilize votes for any 2023 presidential candidate and never received the said petition dated December 22, 2022.

Nigerians should note that CAN, as a faith-based entity, maintains its non-partisan stance and will not endorse or mobilize support for any candidate in the upcoming elections as against the social media post being circulated by some elements bent on soiling its name and image.

CAN, therefore, urges members of the public to disregard the purported letter of petition as its content are not only untrue, but malicious.

We warn those peddling the falsehood to desist from such acts because they are capable of defaming innocent people and revered religious institutions as well as breaching public peace.

Signed:
Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh
President, Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN)

PRESS STATEMENT: CAN CONDEMNS THE DESECRATION OF THE HOUSE OF GOD BY THE POLICE IN IMO STATE

The National leadership  of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemns in strong terms the arrest of one Mr. Uche Nwosu at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral Umunwokwe village, in the Eziama-Obieri Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State.

We feel highly embarrassed by this ugly development and feel pained that the Nigeria Police had no respect even for the House of God. We cannot remember whether this act of disrespect for God ever happened before in our country.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has nothing to apologize for over what the police did because we were never and would never be party to their horrendous act. The Police that did the disgraceful thing should appropriately apologize without giving any excuse. We expect them to be more circumspect in the performance of their duties.

We are not asking the Police or the security agencies not to do their constitutional duties but the idea of desecrating the House of God in doing so is totally unacceptable, unfortunate and reprehensible. 

In view of the foregoing, we urge the Inspector General of Police to call his men to order and continue to respect all houses of worship, whether church or mosque. This type of act should never happen again in our country.

Thank You.

Signed
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media &Communications) to His Eminence, the CAN President.