Special Report… Oritsejafor stirs CAN in politics to impose successor

In from Olumide Olaoluwa . . .
Although the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was established with a major aim of providing spiritual guidance and a national voice to faithful of the Christian faith in the country, it has no doubt taken on a political toga over the years.
Its political inclination was more evident during the last general elections in the country, when its leadership veered headlong into the political theatre, and was viewed by many as an arm of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it became openly partisan.
Due to the influence wielded by the CAN leadership among Christians in the country, a battle has ensued, an a major crisis is now brewing in the organisation over plans by its national president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, to influence the choice of his successor.
The plot is presently threatening the existence of the apex Christian body with at least two major contenders determined to outsmart each other, and members of the Executive council of the body have been meeting in Abuja over the issue with the latest gathering held on October 30-November 2.
Oritsejafor, whose second tenure ends in March 2016, is locked in a game of wits with a major faction in the body over his successor.
Investigations revealed that the Warri-based founder of Word of Life Bible Church has settled on handing over to Prof. Joseph Otubu, a renowned gyneacologist, of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), one of the five blocs of the body.
The other four blocs are: Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN); Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria; Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and ECWA/TEKAN. Of the blocs only OAIC and ECWA/TEKAN have never produced the national president of the body, which is based on a three-year renewable tenure.
The choice of Otubu, according to sources close to Oritsejafor, is to ensure that someone with a high pedigree and professional competence takes over leadership of the body. It was also learnt that Oritsejafor picked Otubu because he is rich and has vast network in international circles.
A source told Ripples Nigeria, that “Professor has an amazing CV and will be a good administrator. CAN has always had preacher-presidents.
“We need a professional president with extensive network and deep pocket to really run the structure. The fact is the body needs a lot of resources which are not forthcoming from churches.’’
The plot to install Otubu has been on for over a year with Oritsejafor already reaching out to key stakeholders to support his choice. He reportedly started the Christian Elders Forum headed by Engr. Asemota to give impetus to the agenda.
The body is also undergoing a constitutional review believed to be aimed at perfecting the legal frameworks for the emergence of the gyneacologist.
But the plot has been facing stiff opposition from alarmed stakeholders who are worried over what they described as Oritsejafor’s overbearing attitude, whom they contend, has dragged the body into partisan politics going by his roles in the failed reelection bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The development, according to them, has damaged the reputation of the body with many dismissing CAN as just a religious organ of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
That Oritsejafor is contemplating fixing the forthcoming election is worryingly frustrating to them, a plot many of them have vowed to fight against.

Read also: How Oritsejafor deceived GEJ to contest 2015 poll –Okotie

Perhaps anticipating that Otubu was going to be Oritsejafor’s candidate, his church, The Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim (ESOCS) excommunicated him some two years ago over alleged contravention of church regulations.
The action was to forestall the possibility of his emergence and cut him off from the Executive Council of CAN, where he was the church’s representative.
But rather than stand down from the council, Otubu stayed put with the backing of Oritsejafor.
He went on to join the Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW) where he was promptly appointed the General Evangelist.
Forces against his emergence in CAN have however pitched their tent with the President of Gospel Baptist Church in Nigeria and Overseas (GBCNO), Archbishop Magnus Atilade.
Atilade, also a medical doctor, is acceptable to them because of his deep understanding of the CAN structure.
He serves as the chairman South West region of the body.
Atilade has the backing of CCN and Catholic Secretariat blocs with some in the ECWA/TEKAN section also disposed to him.
They believe he is a conservative preacher like themselves and will give the body a new outlook.
The two contenders, according to findings, have intensified surreptitious campaign four months to the elections with delegates from the north believed to be the beautiful brides.
This is because they have the largest votes and gave overwhelming support to Oritsejafor before his emergence.
It was gathered that Oritsejafor has been canvassing support for Otubu, explaining why such a highly regarded professional like him should take over.
But forces against his choice have pointed out that the gyneacologist is not head of a church or bloc as stipulated in the constitution.
They also argue he is a stranger in the body’s structure and should never be trusted with such huge responsibility.
While both camps continue to advance reasons why they should be supported, many, especially those neutral to the plotting and maneuverings, are worried that the power play could lead to the disintegration of the umbrella Christian body.

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