President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Christian community in Nigeria in mourning the passing of the General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev (Dr) Musa Asake.
A two-paragraph statement issued by Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina in Abuja on Friday said, while the president commiserated with the family of the late Reverend, he prayed that God Almighty will comfort all those who mourn the departed and grant his soul eternal rest.
The Presidency had recently taken the late CAN Secretary to task over his remark that the current administration posed a threat to democracy.
In a statement titled “Leave politics for politicians,” Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, had advised the CAN to stick to its religious duties based on late Atake’s pronouncement which had expressed frustration with government’s handling of herdsmen’s killings.
Shehu had dismissed Asake’s allegation, saying the cleric could not substantiate it.
The statement had read: “Our attention has been drawn to reports of a press conference by the general secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Dr Musa Asake in which he passed a judgement on the constitutionality of certain actions of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“Unfortunately, he could not cite any valid cases of constitutional violations. President Muhammadu Buhari government poses no threat to the country’s democracy and constitution.
“There are no cases of any violation of our sacred constitution and there will be none under this president.
“The respected religious leader should stick to his religious duties and leave politics for politicians.”