Crisis hits CAN as leadership dissolves elders’ forum

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dissolved the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) over what it described as irreconcilable differences with its activities.

The development is part of the outcome of its meeting where NEC also unanimously passed a vote of confidence in CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, for the achievements recorded under his leadership.

Members of the NCEF include Solomon Asemota, SAN (Chairman); Vice President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Prof. Joseph Otubu; Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (rtd); Archbishop Magnus Atilade; Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okpareke; Dr. Ayo Abifarin; Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd); Elder Moses Ihonde; Elder Nat Okoro and Gen. T. Y. Danjuma.

Others are Elder Matthew Owojaiye; Kalajine Anigbogu (rtd); Elder Shyngle Wigwe; DIG P. L. Dabup; Sir John W. Bagu; Dr. Saleh Hussaini; Elder Mike Orobator; Justice James Ogebe, JSC (rtd); Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Chief Debo Omotosho; Dame Priscilla Kuye; Dr. S. D. Gani; Mrs. Osaretin Demuren; Prof. Yussuf Turaki and Pastor Bosun Emmanuel (Secretary).

A statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to the CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, in Abuja yesterday said: “The National Executive Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at its meeting of Tuesday, November 20, 2018, unanimously applauded the CAN President for the unprecedented achievements recorded under his watch and dissolved the National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) due to irreconcilable differences with its activities.

“Recall how NCEF has been using the social media and a section of the traditional media to attack its leadership, especially the President, Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, using unprintable words to label him due to his refusal to take directives from its members.

“NEC sees all the negative and baseless publications against the CAN President as mere distractions and a calculated attempt to malign his integrity and derail him from his focus of giving CAN credible leadership.

“In the Communique issued on Friday, November 30, 2018 in Abuja, CAN, among other things, immediately dissolves the National Christian Elders’ Forum (NCEF) which was inaugurated on Thursday, January 15, 2015 by the powers conferred on the then CAN President. CAN NEC, by the same powers that inaugurated the forum, forthwith dissolves and dissociates completely from the NCEF in view of the incongruous and unacceptable operations manifested consistently by the group.

“CAN NEC dismisses in its entirety the publication of the immediate past National Youth CAN Chairman, Mr. Daniel David Kadzai, who, in The Guardian newspaper of Monday, November 12, 2018, P.9, alleged that the CAN President defrauded CAN of ‘over N2.8 billion’.

“CAN regrets that a man who had served the Association in the past and was tolerated in spite of his numerous incompetent leadership skills, could not only be malicious, but impersonate himself as Chairman of the Congress of Northern Nigerian Christians (CNNC).

“Although he has apologised for his falsehood by the said publication and has verbally retracted his claims, and the CNNC has equally denied him being their Chairman, it is important to set the records straight.

“However, because he has apologised to CAN leadership, he has been forgiven in the spirit of Christ as recorded in Matthew 6:14-15.

“The meeting critically examined the activities and programmes under the leadership of its President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A. Ayokunle, and resolved as following: That the CAN President should be appreciated for his courageous leadership at such a time as this in the history of our nation.

“The CAN National Executive Committee is particularly pleased with the CAN President for consistently speaking out about the plight of numerous voiceless people in our country, chiefly, on the terrorist activities as unleashed by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen and other terrorist groups on innocent Nigerians.

“His struggle for the release of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls, Miss Leah Sharibu, a captive of her Christian faith by the Boko Haram group, and other innocent captives all over the country has been greatly applauded.

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“That the CAN President should be appreciated for his great concern and positive actions in caring for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) all over the country.

“The Association recalled how CAN leadership travelled from state to state in the country, rendering support to people who have been displaced from their homes.

“The CAN President should be appreciated for leading CAN in inter-faith activities which were almost completely closed up before he assumed office.

“It was noticed that it was at his time that NIREC was revived and officials who were not giving the organisation the needed cooperation and cohesion were replaced.

“The CAN President was appreciated for his ability to bring together Christian leaders from across the country to deliberate on moving the Nigerian Church forward. This was an unprecedented feat.

“The CAN President was appreciated for ensuring that various court cases all over the country were withdrawn for out-of-court settlement.