The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has counselled politicians against the temptation of fielding either a Christian/Christian ticket or a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 general election.
The advice came from the CAN’s President, Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle during a parley of CAN leaders with the Deputy Senate President, Senator Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege in his Abuja office.
The CAN president said, “We want to urge you on the presidency that a balance of both the Christian and Muslim faiths be considered. We don’t want Christian/Christian ticket nor Muslim/Muslim ticket”, he said.
He expressed dissatisfaction at the slide in the economy. He said, “the church is worried about inflation in the land which has sent many people out of business. Unemployment is at an unimaginable level.
“While we appreciate the efforts of the legislative assemblies in calling the attention of the executive to this, more robust and daring efforts are required to nip these things in the bud. Enabling environment should be created for investments and incentives or tax exemptions given to local manufacturers on some goods.”
Covid-19 vaccine
Ayokunle commended the government on the management of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. He however warned against forcing the people to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
His words, “We appreciate the Federal Government, especially the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for the way this stubborn virus has been managed. We want to urge the government to continue to encourage Nigerians to take the vaccine but never to force or coerce people into doing so.”
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege thanked CAN leaders for the visit and called for more of such interaction with a view to bridging the gap between the National Assembly and the Christian body. He also appreciated CAN’s effort in promoting peace and unity and its war against the pandemic.
He urged the Church leadership to encourage people to take the vaccine to forestall a situation of being forced.
CAN team during the visit
Those who were in the delegation included the General Secretary of CAN, Barrister Joseph Bade Daramola, the Chairman, CAN Northcentral who also doubled as the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev Dr Israel Adelani Akanji, the CAN’s Legal Director, Barrister Comfort Chigbue, the Director, National Issues and the CAN Chairman Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite.
Also in the team were the Director, Education, Youth and Women’s Development, Barrister Omonuwa Ogiemudia, Barrister Inoru Anna Preye (CAN, Bayelsa State), Barrister Ibrahim Isa Babangida (CAN, Katsina State), the Special Assistant (Media& Communication to His Eminence), Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the CAN’s Media Officer, Isaac Macrock, and the CAN Security officer, Captain Bolade Ogidan.
