Crisis
is brewing in the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,
as members from the Niger Delta, under the aegis of Global Peace Relief
Initiative, led by Prophet Jones Erue, yesterday, faulted President of
the association, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, over what they described as the
unacceptable comments made against them, following their attempts to
reconcile the G-7 governors with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
In
a statement by Prophet Erue, the Niger Delta pastors described
Oritsejafor’s comment to the effect that CAN was apolitical, as
laughable, accusing the CAN President of getting involved in politics of
calumny and name dropping.
They said that they might not be as rich as the CAN President or own a private jet, but were men of integrity.
The
statement said: “We are disappointed that a leader could sit and watch
his two children fight while the rest of us suffer only to come and
blackmail those who take their time to seek solutions to the crisis.”
They
warned that no amount of blackmail or intimidation would deter them
from the noble mission of rescuing the country from imminent collapse.
“It
is surprising that Pst Ayo Oritsejafor, the CAN president will handle
issues of immense gravity and national importance hastily, with levity
and without discretion. The first and easiest thing to know about a man
is his name; it is a pity that the CAN president does not know the name
of the group of clerics he is addressing nor their affiliates.
“Expecting
him to have minimal knowledge on what they stand for, will be
tantamount to exerting too much pressure on his aging gray matter. We
are begging his aides and personal assistants to do their job well and
stop exposing this great man of God to disrepute.
“These eminent
clerics and their affiliate, Global Peace and Relief Initiative have
taken on a laudable project of consulting across all interest group and
stakeholders concerning the Nigerian project. Nigeria is the only
country we can call our own and as fathers we cannot fold our hands and
watch intolerance and impunity destroy our nation.
“To place the
records straight, we have not made promises to any persons and we have
not used the name of CAN, we have an affiliate whose mission and vision
best defines our activity. We are noble men and do not rail accusation
on authorities.
“It is a pity that the handlers of the CAN
president have allowed miscreants, to drag him into a show of shame,
misinformed the press and over laboured the corporate affairs commission
with a futile search.
“If we may ask, whose registration were
they authenticating? A group they barely know its name? This is a faith
based Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, with memberships spread
across the nation. Our main business is advocacy, conflict prevention/
resolution and facilitation of peace projects whether individual, group,
organisation or government. We create a good soil for developmental
projects and people oriented policies to thrive
“For the CAN
president to say CAN is apolitical is laughable, as the same president
is involved in politics of calumny and name dropping. “The CAN’s
statement as reported by the media does not represent the facts on
ground but a mere imagination. Calling names at this critical period of
the nation’s political development does not represent the responsibility
expected of a great leader of Pastor Ayo Oritsejeafor’s capacity”
“We
want to place it on record that the Bishops and Clerics in this body
may not own private jets but are men of unquestionable character,
dependable leaders, and stewards of peace and holders of reputable
degrees. The leader of this group Prophet Jones Ode Erue is a highly
respected both in political and religious circles. Many people have
benefited from the peace initiatives by this great icon since 2002 till
date.
“When men lack purpose and relevance, rather than encourage
others with vision and purpose they become detractors of good and well
meaning Nigerians. “ We are disappointed that a leader could sit and
fold his hands and watch his two children fight while the rest of us
suffer only to come and blackmail those who take their time to seek
solutions to the crisis.
The forum wishes to state emphatically
that no amount of cheap blackmail or intimidation can deter it from this
noble mission to rescue the country from the imminent collapse which
can be averted. “We are duty bound to restore peace and unity to our
dear country, Nigeria.
” We will continue with the ongoing
consultation with all stake holders in the task of putting Nigeria back
to the road, to national unity and development” stated.
Social Plugin