A meeting between the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria and members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in North ended in deadlock on Thursday in Abuja.
This came as the umbrella Christian body kicked against the composition of the committee, threatening not to accept any recommendation made by the panel.
The Committee Chairman and Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN), had while highlighting the committee’s terms of reference, solicited the support of CAN in the peace process.
He said, “We are not only soliciting your understanding, we are also seeking the support of the Christian community in Nigeria.
We are not only soliciting your advice and suggestions, we are also fundamentally seeking your cooperation and that of the Christian community in Nigeria.”
The meeting, Turaki explained, was to collaborate with CAN with a view to aggregating opinions and information that would form the basis of the committee’s recommendations to the Federal Government.
Responding to the minister’s remarks, the CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the Christian community did not have confidence in the composition of the amnesty panel and as so would not accept any recommendation by it.
He also faulted the timing of the meeting, noting that the committee had little regard for the Christian association.
Oritsejafor said, “We note that the tenure given to your committee is 90 days, which will lapse in a few days time. This being the case, it is our considered opinion that your invitation to us is an afterthought.
“Having regard to the terms of reference of your committee in dealing with issues of national security and in accordance with section 10 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended and in view of the constitutional provision for federal character, we consider the composition of this committee lopsided and unacceptable.
“We further note that Boko Haram, having been declared a terrorist organisation and proscribed by the Federal Government, the work of your committee has been overtaken by events.
“From the aforementioned, it is our belief that any report emanating from your committee will not be credible and acceptable to the Christian community.”
A few minutes after the CAN President ended his comments, the meeting closed.
Newly elected CAN Vice-President and Head of Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr. Olasupo Ayokunle; Primate of the Anglican Communion, Very Rev. Nicholas Okoh; CAN’s General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake; representatives of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship Organisation of Nigeria among other national and state officials of CAN attended the meeting.
