The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh has distanced himself from the just released amended presidential campaign list of the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

The CAN president in a statement he personally signed, expressed shock that the amended presidential campaign list of the APC has the names of some officials of the association. 

He said such a development is worrisome because it counters the well-known stance of CAN on partisanship. 

Archbishop Okoh said a full-scale investigation had commenced ascertaining how the officials of CAN became partisan politicians.

His words: “My attention as president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to the revised list of members of the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 presidential campaign council wherein the names of some outgoing officials of the body were featured. 

“Such a development is worrisome because it counters the well-known stance of CAN on partisanship.”

I want to categorically exonerate my humble self from this development and any of such that may occur in the future. 

“I want to use this medium to assure all Christians in Nigeria and the general public that since I received the news, I have commenced a full investigation into how the officials got involved in overt partisanship. 

“At the end of the probe, CAN will take fair, but decisive and appropriate action with a view to defending the ideals of the umbrella Christian body I lead by the grace of the Almighty God.”

“On a final note, I urge the general public to be calm while we collectively work to entrench a culture of inclusion and respect for our religious diversities in our political leadership.” 

Punch newspaper reports that serious tension engulfed CAN with the surprise appearance of about eight members opposed to the Muslim-Muslim ticket on the list of the presidential campaign council of the APC. 

Among them are assistant general secretary of CAN, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu, who was recruited as assistant coordinator; Lagos state chairman, Stephen Adegbite (member); director of legal and public affairs, Comfort Chigbue (member). 

Others are Testimony Onifade, former personal assistant to immediate past CAN president, Samson Ayokunle (member), Victor Ivoke, Personal Assistant to Okoh, CAN former director of legal and public affairs, Kwamkur Samuel (member), and Prof. Para-Mallam (member).