There is confusion among Christians, especially Pastors and leaders, regarding how the community of the faith should proceed regarding the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) expressing divergent views on the matter inspired by the organisation’s directive against the same-faith ticket.
It seems the lack of clarity and in some cases the silence from some foremost Christian leaders, is becoming a concern among Christians in the country.
Speaking in separate chats with QUEST TIMES, some of the state chairmen of CAN said they remain committed to the directive of the national body while others expressed their frustrations against the seemingly hesitant posture of the association’s current leadership.
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Recall that CAN had earlier maintained that contrary to speculations, the association has not changed its position on the Muslim-Muslim ticket even after a meeting with the presidential candidate of the APC in September 2022.
QUEST TIMES, speaking with several CAN chieftains, observed that some clerics under the association appear to be taking advantage of the seemingly silent and cautious approach of the current CAN leadership on the issue, as against what used to be the case in the recent past.
Sources even claim some of the key figures in the association appear to have been bought over. Others want a clearer, bolder directive from the national body on such a burning issue with about five weeks to the general elections.
Some of the CAN leaders said the current leaders should emulate the boldness seen during the tenure of Rev. Samson Ayokunle in addressing the issue.
Speaking with QUEST TIMES, Rt. Rev. Sunday Timothy Adewole, the Kwara State Chairman of the association, said he patiently awaits the decision of the national body. According to him, “I can remember both the APC and the [CAN] national body are trying to have a meeting. We [in Kwara state chapter] await their outcome [of the meeting]. So, whatever is the outcome from the national body is what we will abide with.”
The Anglican Bishop, when asked if the Kwara chapter has a separate position on the issue, said “We cannot separate ourselves from the national Church. The stand of the national Church is going to be our stand.
“We understand that there is a dialogue going on between the national body and the APC and other political parties as well.
“Whatever they communicate to us, that is what will become our stand. So, we cannot separate ourselves. We are just a branch but we are part of them [the national body of CAN]. And whatever decision they take up there will flow down to state, local government and to the wards,” he said.
The Lagos State CAN chairman, Rt. Rev. Stephen Adegbite, who has been accused of being a supporter of the APC presidential candidate, was a bit more cautious. He told QT that he will support “whoever has been chosen to lead and Nigeria will be at peace.”
In reaffirming its position, CAN had, in September 2022, said that the issue of Muslim-Muslim ticket is a taboo which the association was not going to accept. This has been stated since the reign of its immediate past president, Rev. Ayokunle.
Rev. Ayokunle’s tenure as CAN president lapsed in July 2022.
Meanwhile, in November 2022, the Knights of Saint Mulumba Nigeria, one of the key organs of the Catholic Church, said it stood by CAN’s position on the Muslim/Muslim ticket.
Speaking on behalf of the Catholic Knights, Sir Michael Aule said “The issue is that we don’t regulate the activities of brothers who are in politics but we support 100 percent the position of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). We are members of the Christian Association of Nigeria and we stand with what decision they have taken.
“On this issue of Muslim/Muslim ticket, we are also standing for what CAN has taken. The decision of the Christian Association of Nigeria is the decision of the Knight of Saint Mulumba.”
In a similar vein, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has maintained its opposition to the same-faith ticket. According to the organization, such would not augur well for the unity and future of Nigeria.
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Maintaining this stance is the general secretary of the group, Dr Cosmos Ilechukwu. He reportedly said “The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria reaffirms its position that the same-faith ticket can, in no way, be justified, as it is not in the interest of Nigeria, as it further jeopardises the prospects of peaceful coexistence and building of a united nation.”
The PFN National President Bishop Wale Oke said the association will mobilise against the Muslim-Muslim ticket because “it is against the principles of fairness, balance, equity and justice.”
Oke said, “Muslim-Muslim ticket means over 54 percent of the population will be marginalised and shut out. If the party doesn’t listen to us, then they will meet us at the polls.”