CAN cautions against politicisation of killings
• Seeks pressure on Buhari to act
THE President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Supo Ayokunle, has cautioned against the politicisation of the killings in parts of the federation. He urged Nigerians to close ranks and prevail on the Buhari administration to act decisively.
Delivering a sermon yesterday in Sagamu at the 13th New Year thanksgiving and memorial service organised by erstwhile governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, admitted that the nation was passing through a most difficult time in her history. Ayokunle, who is also the president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, condemned “the mindless killings”, which according to him, have “continued with reckless abandon in a country with a government and laws.”
The event, which held at the Abraham’s Tabernacle, was graced by eminent Nigerians, including traditional rulers, political bigwigs among others.
The cleric noted that the nation would not experience progress and development in an environment of strife.
His words: “Things are not working in the best way we had thought. This is a very difficult time in the history of Nigeria, especially the continued bloodshed. Communities are just being decimated and human beings killed like chicken. It is so barbaric, so unbelievable that in a nation with government, things like this will continue to happen with reckless abandon. It is so unacceptable.
“We have been speaking about it. It is not a matter of politics. You don’t play politics with the lives of human beings.”
Ayokunle urged politicians to always heed the admonition of clerics, saying: “We (clergymen) are the conscience of the nation. Politicians need to humble themselves when we speak to them.”
In his remarks, Daniel said his experience during the campaign for the national chairmanship of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had further opened him to the challenges confronting the country, noting that Nigerians must be thankful all times the prevailing circumstance notwithstanding.
Dignitaries at the event included Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Senator Femi Okurounmu; Otunba Subomi Balogun; Sir Kensington Adebutu; Dr Onaolapo Soleye; Senator Iyiola Omisore among others