The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says it is not
aware of any N2 billion given to churches by Peter Obi, the presidential
candidate of Labour Party (LP).
A certain petition making
the rounds on social media claimed that Obi gave N2 billion to churches through
CAN to help mobilise their congregation to vote for him.
Daniel Okoh, the CAN president, in a statement on Sunday,
denied the claim, adding that the association is non-partisan and will not
endorse or mobilise support for any candidate.
“The attention of the National leadership of Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to a purported letter currently in
circulation on social media, alleging that a certain sum of N2bn was given by
the presidential candidate of Labour party, Mr Peter Obi to Churches under the
umbrella of CAN,” the statement reads.
“I use this medium to
categorically state that the so-called letter of petition reportedly signed by
one Pastor Frank Onwumere and addressed to my office is illogical and can best
be described as a failed attempt to drag the apex Christian body into the
politics of 2023.
“However, we will investigate the source of the letter in
the interest of the public.
“To set the records straight, I am not aware of any N2bn
given to Churches in Nigeria to mobilise votes for any 2023 presidential
candidate and never received the said petition dated December 22, 2022.
“Nigerians should
note that CAN, as a faith-based entity, maintains its non-partisan stance and
will not endorse or mobilise support for any candidate in the upcoming
elections as against the social media post being circulated by some elements
bent on soiling its name and image
“CAN, therefore, urges members of the public to disregard
the purported letter of petition as its content are not only untrue, but
malicious.
“We warn those peddling the falsehood to desist from such
acts because they are capable of defaming innocent people and revered religious
institutions as well as breaching public peace.”
Meanwhile the Obi-Datti campaign team has also dismissed the
alleged petition, describing it as “blackmail stuff”.
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