The newly inaugurated President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has frowned at the decision of the Progressives Congress (APC) in opting for a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
But Okoh, who began his 5-year of the association on Thursday, advised that no matter what happens, Christians must resolve to make a positive impact.
His words: “Many Christians feel and have the genuine fear that there is a deliberate plan to remove the Christian faith from the scheme of things and make us second-class citizens in our own country – genuine fear borne out of the recent happenings in our polity i.e. the same-faith ticket in one of the major political parties in Nigeria despite the caution raised by CAN since two years ago.
“Whatever happens, no matter how many times our sensibilities are insulted, we must resolve to make a positive impact on the political, economic and social systems of our dear nation.”
He charged President Muhammadu Buhari to quell the rising insecurity in the country.
“While thanking the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for his efforts to combat terrorism and banditry, I would like to appeal to His Excellency to end the bloodletting, kidnapping and general insecurity in all the geo-political zones of the country.
“I believe that the government can do more to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians given all the modern technology within its reach….”
“We are coming in at the time that all of us in the Christian faith believe that some sections of political leaders are not sensitive to the diverse nature of our population when certain decisions are being made.”
According to Okoh, the relevance of Christians in Nigeria depended on unity and mutual understanding among the denominations of the Church in Nigeria, which he said his leadership will work towards.
The Archbishop, the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International, Onitsha, emerged CAN President, after getting a 100 per cent vote of all 259 delegates who participated in its 12th General Assembly.
At the event, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom called on Christians in the country to unite so as to defeat the forces of darkness hovering over the nation.
In his goodwill message at the inauguration of the new leadership, Ortom maintained that the country was under siege by the forces of darkness, which has made life unbearable for the people, saying the church must work with God in faith and absolute obedience for things to turn around.
While thanking the church for standing firm and refusing to be intimidated by the evil forces in the country, Governor Ortom advised Christians in the country to sustain their prayers for God to help enthrone peace and love in the nation.
The Governor expressed optimism that the God who has sustained the tenure of the outgoing President of CAN, Reverend (Dr.) Samson Ayokunle would do same for the new leadership of the association led by Okoh for him to record milestone.
Secretary to the Federal Government, SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha who represented the Federal Government appealed to the Christian community not to relent in their primary assignment of praying for the peace, unity and progress of the country.
Mustapha noted that the peaceful and smooth transition from the outgoing leadership of CAN to the new leadership was a demonstration that with commitment, the same feat would be achieved after next year’s elections.
Others who gave goodwill messages included the Governor of Delta State and Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP , Mr. Peter Obi, Senator representing Adamawa North, Ishaku Abbo and Minister of Science and Technology, Olorunimbe Mamora.
In their separate goodwill messages, they prayed that the tenure of the new CAN President would witness the transformation of the church and country.
Earlier in a sermon, a former chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria in Abuja and General Overseer of All Christians Fellowship, Reverend William Okoye in a message titled, “Finishing Well” enjoined Christians to make righteousness the foundation of their faith and total submission to the will of God for things to turn around in the country.
