ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, (CAN) REV. DR. MUSA ASAKE HELD AT THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE, ABUJA ON TUESDAY, 16THJANUARY, 2018

Gentlemen of the Press,

On behalf of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria and the entire Christian Community here in Nigeria, I welcome you to this press conference in the precious and wonderful name of Our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Since this is our first meeting this year, permit me to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and wishing you a productive and prosperous 2018. 

TRUMP’S DECLARATION ON JERUSALEM AS THE CAPITAL OF ISREAL IS IN ORDER

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is compelled once again, to draw the attention of the Buhari Administration to the non-aligned status of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in international conflicts. We have had cause to express great apprehension when in December 2015, President Buhari, without giving consideration to Section 10 of the Constitution, as well as to the sensitivity of Christians that constitute over 50% of the Nigerian population, led Nigeria to join the Saudi Arabia initiated Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). 

Centrum Initiative for Development and Fundamental Rights Advocacy, CEDRA, has observed with concern the impunity of Fulani herdsmen in parts of the country as a sign of a ‘letdown’ by the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, under President Muhammadu Buhari and his security goons.

“A horizontal and vertical perusal of opinion of pundits holds that the Federal Government of Nigeria can nip in the bud this menace,” CEDRA believes.

1. February 2013: 
Fulani Attacked Agatu burning several villages, including Inoli, Ologba, olegeje, olegogboche, olegede, Adana, Inminy and Abugbe communities. 186 lives lost to butchery and gunshots. GEJ sent MOPOL to control the situation but they failed. Another attack followed in Agatu in the month of May 2013.

A 35 years’ old father of 10 reportedly killed and two of his wives, who sustained fatal gunshots injuries, in a recent herdsmen attacks in Utonkon in Ado local government area of Benue State, are writhing in pains after having been discharged from hospital with bullets still inside their bodies. 

The two women, according to eyewitness, were shot along with their deceased husband by Fulani herdsmen in the afternoon of the fateful day when they were heading to the market in Utonkon, on a motorcycle, on Christmas Eve, 24th December, 2017. 

Tragedy has, again, struck the people of Southern Kaduna, following the gruesome killing of Etum Numana II, Dr. Gambo Makama, in Numana Chiefdom in Southern Kaduna area of Kaduna state. 

The unfortunate incidents, which occurred in the night of January, 2018, has thrown the entire chiefdom into another round of mourning as Etum Numana II was said to have been killed alongside his wife. 

The Advocates for Freedom and Democracy wishes to draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerians, Diplomatic agencies and global community to the activities of frontline Islamic leaders and organizations, who seek opportunities, to ignite sectarian strife in Nigeria. It is saddening to recall how past activities and utterances emboldened and compounded Boko haram and rendered efforts at national consensus difficult. Indeed, it berthed the Fulani herdsmen phenomenon. These leaders had justified and ascribed the hate-induced ideologically-inspired activities of Boko haram religious deviants as poverty induced.

The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) is worried at the resurfacing of long queues at filling stations in Nigeria  after several increase in fuel price to ensure the availability of the product to all citizens in recent past.

We are not only so concerned that this seeming artificial scarcity is happening mostly during Christmas period but we are disturbed that everything is looking like an attempt to deliberately sabotage the celebration of Christmas by the Christians. 

The Attack by Fulani herdsmen yesterday was a reprisal attack to what happened last two weeks in Shafaron Village of Numan Adamawa State. Last week information came to the people about the incoming of several Fulani and foreigners into the state and believed to have been camped around Mayo Belwa.

It is now clear that if Christians do not organize to actively participate in Governance, the instrument of the State shall be used to progressively decimate the Church until Christianity is eventually “eradicated in all its forms and ramifications” in Nigeria. To avoid this calamity from coming to pass, the NCEF advises all Christians as follows: