2019: CAN Denies Instigating Christians Against Voting Muslims

THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has denied instigating Christians to vote for only Christians in the 2019 general elections.

Speaking on Wednesday, in Abuja, CAN’S national secretary, Musa Asake, said the association could not have asked Christians to vote only Christians because “it was not the right way to go”.

“Where did they get that one? I don’t know which CAN they are referring to; but for us at the national body we have not said anything like that because it is not the right way to go,” Mr. Asake said.

A group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), had in a statement on Tuesday, accused CAN of instigating Christians against voting for Muslim politicians, especially President Muhammadu Buhari.

MURIC said in its statement signed by the group’s director, Ishaq Akintola, that Nigeria had done enough harm to itself by failing to uphold the country above religion and ethnic sentiments and called on Christians as well as Muslims to vote according to their conscience.

This denial is of no consequence or necessary at this point, considering that both Christian and Muslim leaders are guilty of making unguarded religious and political utterances. Such utterances in most cases expose their biases in the affairs of the country. It is disappointing that they forget that such inciting and provocative utterances are capable of plunging the country into crisis.

Instead of being sincere, unbiased, patriotic and altruistic, religious leaders have become more political than the politicians. They are deeply involved in politics, hiding under the cover of religion to operate.

But unfortunately, just like the politicians, they are neither exemplars nor pacesetters in the society. Many see them as opportunistic leaders, who are using religious positions to feather their nests at the detriment of their followers and the country.