Christians Without Border (CWB) on Tuesday called on the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to be neutral and impartial in the affairs of the country.
The President of CWB, Elder Simon Ainoko, gave the charge in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
”CAN is expected to be neutral and impartial on the affairs of Nigeria, especially sensitive issues.
”We suffered greatly in recent history, when the immediate past leadership of CAN dragged the body of Christ into partisan politics.
”One of the repercussions was that the Roman Catholic Church, a major bloc, suspended its membership of CAN because of the apparent embarrassment the partisan indulgence caused Christians in Nigeria.
”We cannot afford a relapse into this era of disunity and lack of cohesion within the body of Christ, hence the need for caution,” he said
Ainoko said the group was uncomfortable with the recent demand for the removal of service chiefs by the leadership of CAN led by its National President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said it was disheartening that the current leadership of the Christian body was gradually deviating from the dream of its founding fathers, who according to him were apolitical.
”We are uncomfortable with some of the issues raised with Mr President at the visit by the CAN leadership.
“By our interpretation, some of the views canvassed by CAN have partisan flavour, which we have reason to believe were unhealthy for the body of Christ,” he remarked.
The CWB president, however, commended the efforts of the security chiefs in curtailing the menace of Boko Haram terrorism and other insurgencies.
He said “CAN’s utterances and comments on such sensitive issues should be more of supporting government to enthrone peace and unity.”
He called on the leadership of CAN to always ensure that members fueling insecurity in the country were sanctioned.
He stated that the idea of promoting hate speeches from the pulpit was fast becoming a normal trend among Christian leaders, describing the development as worrisome.
He urged the Christian body to step up its effort against promotion of hate speeches and making provocative statements from sacred altars.
