THE national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, telling him to order the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
Both men have been in detention for years over corruption allegation and criminality, respectively.
In a speech delivered by the President of the association, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, he stressed the need for a total adherence to the rule of law.
He said this will lessen the tension in the country.
He said: “Total adherence to the rule of law as is required by our constitution and full-blown democracy by making sure that those whose bails have been granted by competent courts like Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Leader of the Shiites, Malam Ibrahim El-Zakzaky are released from detention to enjoy the bail granted them by the courts of law.
“This would ease tension in the land and give credit to your administration together with respect from the international community.”
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CAN also demand a total overhaul of the nation’s security and the removal of service chiefs who have overstayed in office.
Ayokunle who read a prepared text said as another election year, the association wanted to appeal that “presidential order to the Police and other security agencies to be non-partisan, neutral and apolitical in the coming general election with a view to securing international respect and honour for our country in the comity of nations.”
He added: “The degree of desperation we saw in the politicians during the intra-party elections that took place recently do not give many people hope concerning 2019 unless serious steps are taken to let decency prevail.
“We appeal to you to make sure that the law enforcement agents and the election umpire do their work professionally without the intimidation of voters, manipulation and any trace of violence throughout the period of elections. We believe that the survival and peace of Nigeria are greater than the ambition of any politician.
“We again request that your administration conducts a free and fair election that would add to the accolades the country received from the conduct of 2015 elections that brought you to power.
“Restoration of peace and sanity in troubled spots in the country, especially in the States of Adamawa, Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna and Zamfara.
“Enhancement of security and flushing out of attackers in many towns as is in Gashish District on the Plateau, in order to allow sacked communities in the various IDP camps to return to their towns and villages.
“We urge your administration to invest more on intelligence gathering and ensure that our security agents work on them before the terrorists would strike.”
The association also urged the president to issue a presidential order directing the Army to stop using live bullets in quelling civil disturbances and an order to the Police to provide protection to any group of people engaging in peaceful protest as the law and modern-day democracy allows.
It further said: “A total overhauling of the security system with a view to replacing security chiefs who have overstayed their welcome.
“An urgent resolution of the controversies on the ongoing dialogue over the new minimum wage.
“A concerted effort on the part of your government to ensure Nigeria does not return to the dreaded economic recession.
“An appeal to all political parties to shun vote buying with a view to letting the votes of the people count, come 2019.
“Setting up of a judicial panel of enquiry to look into the incessant killings in the North-central with a view to unmasking perpetrators and bringing them to book to serve as a deterrent to others.
“One of the terms of reference of the judicial panel, if accepted, should be to investigate the killing of the immediate Director of Administration of the Army, Major General Idris Alkali (rtd), and circumstances surrounding the kidnap and killing of the Paramount Chief of the Adara Chiefdom in Kaduna State, His Royal Highness, the Agom Adara, Dr Maiwada Raphael Galadima.
“More importantly sir, issue a presidential order to the security agencies to secure the release of Miss Leah Sharibu, who has been in the captivity of Boko Haram, and the remaining 112 Chibok girls and other innocent Nigerians still held by terrorist organisations.”
The CAN delegation lauded the President for his efforts in fighting corruption, the initiatives to stem the tide of unemployment, the various efforts aimed at revamping the economy, the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and the implementation of the Bank Verification Number and the Treasury Single Account.
Responding to the association remarks.
President Buhari assured that his vision and objectives for Nigeria are very clear and he is on course to achieve them.
He said he was doing his best to fulfil his electoral promises of securing the country, fighting corruption and resuscitating the economy.
The President added that fighting corruption takes longer time especially with the need to adhere to the rule of law.
He stated: “It is on record that some cases initiated by the anti-graft bodies since 2003 are yet to be concluded. We will, however, not be discouraged. Where monies have been recovered, such monies will not find their way back to the looters as I have directed EFCC to account for every money it has recovered and put them in a dedicated account.”
On the CAN’s request for an overhaul of the intelligence gathering system, President Buhari said the burden of intelligence gathering involves everyone especially district heads, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and especially religious leaders that are very close to the grassroots.
He added that bandits who are operating in various communities live among the people and enjoined leaders of thought in various communities to avail security agencies of information about the criminals.
President Buhari also told the visitors that he had assurances from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that the 2019 elections will be free and fair as he has been a victim of fraudulent elections and beneficiary of a free and fair election in the past.
He further said: “When I decided to put on this Agbada to see what the people are seeing in it, I tried three times, 2003, 2007 and 2011, but the fourth time, in 2015, I succeeded. We thank God and technology in the form of permanent voters card and card reader because what they used to do was to look at constituencies, award the votes and then they will say whoever didn’t agree should go to court. When people are looking for what to eat, where do they have the money to go to court to pay the SANs?”
On farmers and herders clashes, President Buhari told the visitors that the government was working towards finding a lasting solution to it.
Nonsense, is Elzakzaky and Dasuki the problem we are facing in Nigeria? Busybody.
Nonsense, absolute rubbish
SHUAB LEAH,PLEASE FG AND SOME CLAIMED DEVILISH POLITICIAN OF NIGERIA….. God of Creation is watching.. One day will be one day ,all men shall stand to gives his /her reports
jubrin claiming to be Buhari dead president will be disgraced very very soon
Hypocrites !
Oviawe Kevin how do you mean?
Instead of Leah, Who sent them?
Good one from the church
VAN seeking reliance after loosing it all.
A very good dev.
I believe they understand the implication of their demands even as we pray and hope that their request is granted by Mr Present.
Wetin concern them?
What is the problem Of CAN in this matter
Kingsley Madu my brother are u aware of d amount of a litre of kerosene? and other items dat are beginning for buhari’s attention?
Just to poke nose
Hahaha what a shame, CAN, because Leah,s comes from poor bagraund that’s why you don’t care for her safe return? all you care is the release of corrupt dasuki
Hmmmmmm can holier than thou
Hypocrites you are yet to condemn the killing of General Alkali by Christian berom bigots
Frankie Madu he cannot be disgraced on facebook. When ur like are threatening to boycott election. Am just laughing some of u shaa
Oviawe Kevin stop commenting nonsense here. You have nothing good to talk about .
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CAN forget their own daughter Leah sharibu and fighting for Elzakzaky and same Dasuki that share money meant to fight d bokoharam that capture leah????
Wetin concern dem
CAN are jobless, how can you ask for Elzakzaky release. I known, no Kaduna member will be there.
I already said it CAN belong to PDP
Shiite will be your neighbor in Jesus name. Say amen
Political nonsense
PMB wldn’t listen your stupidity requests, because he is not as stupid as pope of rome.
Waiting concern CAN
Idiotic fool. Must you be useless forever..?. If someone insults Mohammed now you will start crying
Am sure u re d one dat hv something meaningful to say pls go on am listening
Foolishness of CAN of warms what concerns you with them
Any body looking for peace have to encouraged to make peace. Those against CAN are agents of devils and enemies of Nigeria.
Trying to play on people’s intelligence.
When did CAN baptize Dasuki and Zakzaky?
You are mad and you can never be great in this life for calling pope stupid
CAN should have done that on their knees.
thank u all we sin against God but he forgive us if not d world could have ended
CAN of Worms
Are they now part of CAN worm?
Good step in the right direction….today is a Muslim man, tomorrow may be a Christian man. Nigeria needs UNITY.
Wetin concern agbero with airport dey dirty? Sebi you sabi praye, go and fray for the 2
What is Nigeria heading to, what concern CAN with person alleged of Corruption and A lawless Shiite leader. CAN must have shared from Dasukigate and PDP want to use Shiite to cause mayhem in 2019 election. CAN is now PDP tools
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CAN whc political party do u belongs to?? Why not continue Wht u are known for,
Not now after election .
Be reasonable. This is not the matter of Political party. They’re only doing what they stand for( peace, justice, stability and light)
Well to be perfectly honest, in my humble opinion, without offending anyone who think differently from my point of view but also looking into this matter in a different perspective and without condemning anyone view’s and by considering each and everyone valid opinion.i honestly believe that the appropriate song for now is SAI BABA SAI BUHARI.
See me see wahala oooo wetin concern chicken with toothpick?
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Religious wing of PDP…
If not ,wat can they do ?
Pls what is d problem of CAN with dasuki and el-zakzaky? but Muslim leaders are also in aso rock today but never demand for both of them release and dis people belong to Muslim
This is the only good move from CAN because Bible tells us, make every effort to live in peace with all men to be holy without holiness no one will see the lord, Hebrews chapter 12:14
Plz don’t answe them
Is like you are a religious frick? Instead of seeing the good intentions of Christians and how this peace move will help Buhari and APC and even his Hausa Muslims who are aggrieved, you making funny comment. Pls view it positively
Help Buhari by releasing criminals? Smh..
How does that concern them
Please help ME ask CAN if Buhari is lifeless
PDP by other means…. CAN is fraud they’ve gone from religious body to political tool, what a shame.
Good move by CAN. For those of u who is say one rubbish or the other, prison is nobodys birth right u might find yourself there one day
Simon Chukwu but jolly nyame and dariye are Christians and are in prison, is there release not important? Or is it that CAN are looking for supporters from Muslims group opposing PMB?
The christian girl abducted by boko haram nko