APC Muslim-Muslim Ticket: We Maintain Our Position – CAN Insists

The national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has debunked a media report which stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC), presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu met and resolved the Muslim-Muslim ticket with the apex Christian organisation in the country.

The report had alleged that CAN has changed its position regarding the same-faith ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement, the CAN described the story as ridiculous, malicious, untrue and should be disregarded in its entirety by all reasonable members of the society.

It further stated; “For the records, CAN took a position against the same-faith ticket imbroglio under the leadership of Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle, its immediate past national president, and as a matter of fact, His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, stands on that same position.

“CAN may not agree with every decision taken by politicians and political parties, but it respects their right to reach conclusions on issues that affect their electoral fortunes so long as they accord with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act (2022),

“For the umpteenth time, CAN reiterates that it is non-partisan, but remains willing to partner with all leaders and other relevant stakeholders towards achieving unity, peace and progress in our nation.

“Consequently, the umbrella Christian organisation cannot be antagonistic to any well-meaning political party or group as the nation warms up for a fresh round of elections in 2023 as claimed in the said report,” it said.

CAN also strongly condemned what it described as the attempt to make a mountain out of molehill with Tinubu’s presence at the 70th Birthday Celebration of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

It explained that the event was public, adding that the friends of Bishop Kukah and other good-spirited Nigerians donated to the building of The Kukah Centre, which is designed to be a veritable platform to propagate and promote the ideals of democracy and responsible leadership through research and intellectualism.

CAN noted that the donations, which went directly to The Kukah Centre, have nothing to do with CAN.

“It is therefore mischievous to insinuate it was a sort of bribe money for Christian leaders to make a u-turn on its stance against same-faith ticket,” CAN stressed.