The race for who becomes the Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has begun just as Apostle Alexander Bamgbola completes a two-term tenure as the chairman of the body.
A report on elifeonline.net indicated that Apostle Bamgbola had his last official outing on November 18 thus paving way for another chairman to run the affairs of the body in the next three years.
It will be recalled that Apostle Bamgbola, an international banker by profession had just served as Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria when he was elected the chairman of the Lagos CAN six years ago.
The two-term he served as the chairman of CAN brought a lot of stability and respect to the organisation.
Bamgbola is quoted as saying at the last outing that “The times were gone when this very association was fraught with bickering and politicking. The times were gone when people were scared to be members of the association. We have been able to make the association envy of all eyes. Now, when we speak in Lagos, Nigeria listens.”
L-R: General Secretary of Lagos CAN, Elder Israel Akinadewo, the outgoing Chairman, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, and other officials at the last outing on November 18
He told those in attendance at the last outing that as the chairman of Lagos CAN, he witnessed three different governors in Lagos, Babatunde Fasola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu saying he was able to work with them without rancour
He thanked all the executives of the organisation who worked with him to achieve great success saying, “I am very proud of all my executives who worked tirelessly with me to put CAN Lagos on a strong footing.”
Apostle Bamgbola is quoted to have left behind a sum of N17 million in the purse of the association
The new CAN chairman is expected to be elected on December 1 but there are indications that the December 1 date may not be feasible as some members of CAN, according to sources close to Church Times, are threatening not to show up for the election.
The reason for the threat is not too clear at the time of writing this report, but it may not be unconnected with who succeeds Apostle Bamgbola as there are different church leaders within the body showing interest.
Two major blocks in CAN, the Organisanisation of Independent African Churches and Christian Council of Nigeria are likely to present candidates for the election, though the contest is open to all the blocks. It is believed that some top leaders may need more time to reach some consensus on who to vote for before going for the election. This may make the December 1 date not feasible.
