CAN Isn't The Platform For Partisan politics - Chairman

Deputy Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Benue State Chapter, Rev. Jonathan Ugbede has cautioned those dragging CAN into partisan politics! The cleric cautioned the politicians when the Middle Belt Media Practitioners in Nigeria, collaborating with the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations presented the certificate of commendation to him at state secretariat of CAN in Makurdi.

The Deputy Chairman said, although, Christian members of the public may belong to different political parties, no need existed however for Christians to turn CAN into a partisan political platform!

Reverend Ugbede's reaction came on the heels of claims that some pastors endorsed one of the politicians for a public office.

Dismissing the claims as misleading, Ugbede said "every politician who as a Christian is a member of our church. You will find people from different parties among us, but that does not mean, we should use the pulpit for politics!" 

He continued "yesterday, I was told that 150 pastors gathered to endorse someone. I said, they are not pastors. None of the recognized church leaders in Benue released pastors to attend such a political gathering." 

Arising from this position, he cautioned those individuals and groups speaking for CAN. The cleric said "no single person should go out speaking on behalf of CAN. When CAN wants to make a statement, we do it collectively through our leadership." 

Emphasizing that CAN's role remains primarily spiritual, Rev. Ugbede noted that the priority for the association was prayer and to engage leaders constructively than attack them publicly! He said "the Bible instructs us to pray for the government in power. If we have any counsel for the Governor, we will invite him and discuss with him."

The commendation recipient is a pastor from First Baptist Church. He expressed surprise at the commendation that he did not know of any person or group monitoring his interfaith dialogue and peace building efforts to have discovered the "personal commitment to service" as deserving of the honour.

The clergy leader attributed the success to cooperation in the office with colleagues.

The group leader, Dr. Terwase China Abigwa applauded the recipient for unrelentingly contributing to peace, justice and unity in the state. 

The Secretary stated that Ugbede "consistently lent the voice against insecurity in the state and promoted interfaith dialogue and harmony among religious groups" in Benue State.