We didn’t pull out of CAN, Northern Christians say

Northern Christians on Thursday debunked the rumour that they have pulled out of the Christian body, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) due to the controversy that trailed the just concluded CAN presidency election.

The 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) affirmed that the just concluded election which produced Dr Samson Ayokunle as CAN President was all inclusive and peaceful, adding that they stand by the election and the new leadership of CAN.

Speaking on behalf of other Northern State CAN Chairmen, the Borno State Chairman of CAN, Bishop Mohammed Naga, told journalists in Abuja that those who carried such rumours were trying to disunite the body.

Bishop Naga said that all the statutory leaders of CAN in Northern Nigeria including the Zonal and State Chairmen were all present the election. “The election was peacefully conducted. It has been one of the peaceful elections conducted.

“Pulling out of CAN? There is nothing of that nature. Those who are saying this are just agents of division and disunity. These are the chairmen of northern Nigeria 19 states plus Abuja making 20. We are their representatives, there have never been such a meeting and nobody speak on our behalf, except we seat there as executives of Northern CAN,” he said.

While calling on the present CAN President to always stand for Christians in the north, Bishop Naga commended the immediate past administration of CAN led by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, for standing by the northern Christians during the hit of Boko Haram insurgency.

“The past administration was one of the most wonderful administration the country, community had ever experienced, he (Oritsejafor) speak on our behalf and was sincerely known in the interior of the north,” he said