The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Sunday distanced itself from a purported N2 billion allegedly given by the presidential candidate of the Labour party, Mr Peter Obi, to the association in order to assist in mobilizing and convincing their congregation to vote massively for him.
While urging the public to disregard the purported letter of the petition as its content was not only untrue but malicious, CAN said it would probe the source of the letter in the public interest.
CAN described the letter by Frank Onwumere as malicious and untrue, but warned those peddling the falsehood to desist from such acts because they were capable of defaming innocent people and revered religious institutions as well as breaching public peace.
The President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the clarification in a statement titled, “Re: Petition on the misappropriation of N2 billion given by the presidential candidate of the Labour party, Mr Peter Obi to churches under the umbrella of CAN.”
He said, “The attention of the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria 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.
“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 mobilize 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 mobilize 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 the petition as its content is 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.”
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