A coalition of five groups within the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, called on its National Executive Committee, NEC, members to carefully elect the next President for the body on June 15.
The groups, Christian Young Professionals, CYP; Youths for Christ International, YCI; Nigerian Christian Patriotic Youth Movement, NPYM; Nigeria Christians of Integrity and Association of Christian Enthusiastic, said the next CAN President must be cerebral and resourceful. Professor Joseph Otubu of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, OAIC, and Rev Supo Ayokunle of the Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, are in the race to lead the organisation for another three years from July. Ayokunle is the current Vice President, while Otubu is a renowned retired gynaecologist.
In a statement in Lagos, the coalition’s spokesperson, Anthony Ige, said the next election must reposition the umbrella Christian body for credibility and impact. The youth groups said: “The June 15 election is essentially a choice between the old and the new. There is an old order that CAN must do away with. “The body has been seen as partial and has lost face before the public.
Anybody that has anything to do with this past must never be elected.” The groups warned against politicisation of the process and inducement of NEC members, saying only those who had nothing concrete to offer would attempt to monetise the exercise. Advising NEC members to choose wisely, the coalition said: “Christians must be respected and the first part is electing a trustworthy candidate with no baggage. NEC members must look for integrity, resourcefulness and proven records of selfless services.” 12 0 0 0
