The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, South-South zone have pleaded with the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) not to retaliate the evil perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect in the Northern part of Nigeria saying such a move is ungodly.
CAN made its position known at the weekend at the secretariat in Port Harcourt.
The newly elected executive of the body Dr. God-dowell Arwomukpa through the vice chairman most Rev. Dr. Israel Ege maintain that as Christians they will only do things that will unite the nation and glorify God and not to support reprisal attack by MEND while calling on the former freedom fighters not to be dragged into the current security challenges in the country.
The vice chairman CAN South-South said their position on amnesty for Boko Haram is very clear because they will always support peace.
The Christian Association of Nigeria South-South maintained that the Boko Haram should borrow a leaf from the former freedom fighters who stated their grievances, came out of the creeks and discuss with the federal government on the way to bring peace in the country, but regretted that Boko Haram’s actions have been cruel, barbaric and evil with faceless citizen not knowing what they are demanding.
CAN tasked Boko Haram to come out of their hiding place and complain to the authority and dialogue so that there will be peace and harmony.
“They should come out and give us the reason why they are bombing, maiming, killing and destroying properties in this country” CAN demanded.
CAN also described some of those Boko Haram who rejected the federal government amnesty as ridiculous and an insult to the nation.
Earlier, the chairman elect of CAN South-South Archbishop Dr. God-dowell Arwomukpa said the body is thanking God for the honour done to them, that for the first time the president of the country is coming from the South-South zone of the country. However, the first headquarters of the country was situated in Calabar, he said.
The South-South CAN commended the former Governor of Rivers State Sir. Dr. Peter Odili for providing a befitting secretariat for the CAN Rivers State chapter and CAN South-South with six buses and ten million naira and his counterpart Chief James Ibori of Delta State for donating ten million naira to the body.
Answering questions from journalists on the role of CAN on the current face-off between Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and president Dr. Goodluck Jonathan both from the South-South, the chairman said there might not be any cold war as such because two of them are very cordial, saying Rivers State and Bayelsa are just brothers and should not live like Cain and Abel, he said if there is crisis the church will call two of them. On the issue of fake prophets and pastors springing up daily, CAN chairman said even in days of Jesus Christ there were fake pastors and prophets, but CAN will soon regulate their activities as this could be the sign of the end time.
Others inaugurated are Secretary Rev. Dr. Felix Ekiye, Bro. John Ogumbor, Treasurer, Barr. (Mrs.) Pat Alata Director legal services and Stella Benibo women leader. ###
Pius Dukor
