Stop the excuses, we want an end to killings of Christians, CAN urges FG

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to immediately stop the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

This was even as he cautioned that the Federal Government should do something to prove the perception that it favours one religion (Islam) over the other (Christianity) in all its activities wrong.

The president of CAN stated this during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, adding that it was unfortunate that the Federal Government with its instruments of coercion has failed to arrest or prosecute several of the alleged Muslim herdsmen accused of being responsible for the incessant brutal murder of Christians across the country.

“Just in February this year, the United States House of Representatives cited Nigeria as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world. Certainly, this is a most unpleasant classification for a country that is a democracy and the giant of Africa. What type of giant are we? It is a classification that should not make patriotic Nigerians glad in a country where population is roughly divided equally between Islam and Christianity.

“It is essential for the Federal Government in whose care instruments of cohesion lie to quickly remedy this situation. It will be in the interest of national development and peaceful co-existence. If continuous killings have not been happening, we would not have been shouting wolf where there was none. We appeal to the government to desist from giving excuses anymore why the killings are still occurring. We want an end to be put to the killings henceforth. Enough is enough.

“All must be done in political appointments and in the conduct of government business to reflect federal character not only on ethnicity but equally ensuring religious balance. The suspicion of favouritism by government of one religious group to the detriment of others must be avoided. The more the government adheres to these admonitions, the more coherent we would be as a people and the greater the peace and development,” he said.

Read also: Buhari no more than ‘skin-and-bones’, he’s “dying” in Aso Rock –Dr Brimah

Ayokunle, who equally appreciated efforts of the Federal Government in the war against Boko Haram, further praised the courage of Nigerian Military in insurgency fight assuring that Christians shall continue to pray for them.

He added, “Equally, the release of the 21 of the several Chibok girls kidnapped three years ago is commendable but more efforts is solicited for the release of the rest before their lives are completely ruined for no sin of theirs. ‎

“We commend as well the recent efforts of the Federal Government on the economy especially on strengthening the local currency. More sincerity should be shown on this so that the siege of economic hardship that has almost crippled the lives of Nigerians and increased the rates of suicide might be lifted. Salaries owed the workers all over the nation must be paid without delay. My Bible says that the wages of the workers must not be delayed overnight.”

 

 

 

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