N7bn Allegation Against CAN

The Christian apex association was accused of receiving N7bn during the 2015 elections to support some political parties. Samuel who was the past director for legal and public affairs of CAN however claimed the allegations were meant to discredit the church as the group did not receive money.

In an interview published by Leadership, the legal practitioner said the campaign used by major political parties during the last election was dirty and unprofessional, one of which was dragging the name of the church into it. He said there was nothing wrong with the church being close to governance.

“You will recall that prior to the 2015 general elections, there were various campaign strategies, some of them deadly, that were employed and deployed by most of the leading political parties, to persuade and even coerce innocent and ignorant Nigerians to cast their votes based on certain interests and sentiments.

“Some of the ill strategies included specific and direct allegations about some candidates and their supposed supporters. At that point in time, the movement, statements and gestures of certain personalities were interpreted and communicated to Nigerians along political interests. Most of those allegations were either not supported with concrete facts or were supported with false, forged or unverifiable evidences. In most of the allegations, the acceptance of its veracity were also based on political affiliations. National leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for obvious reasons, were targeted in the political intricacy and blackmails, including even some CAN leaders in the States and Local Governments. Prominent was the allegation of the sharing of Seven Billion (#7Billion) Naira to CAN and the usage of the CAN President’s Aircraft for Arms purchase by the Federal Government.

“The former Nigeria President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, President Mohammadu Buhari and many other individuals had their own share of the allegations too. But like I always say, such allegations were unfounded, false and peddled by those without any supportive facts yet believed by those whose interests they project. By my understanding and perception, the 2015 electioneering campaign was the worst ever witnessed.”

You may read the rest of the interview here.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, had previously made the allegation against the PDP.

He said, ““Some pastors collected N6bn and they are circulating document and telling you not to vote for an Hausa man; not to vote for a Muslim; that they want to Islamise Nigeria. Tell them to return our N6bn.

“They gave them N6bn; they should return it to the Federal Government coffers. They will tell you that Buhari wants to Islamise Nigeria; tell them we are too educated.""

But in a note on his Facebook page, Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, wrote: “I read in the newspaper this morning that one of the serving governor in Nigeria said that some pastor(s) in Nigeria collected 6 billion naira from politicians for the purpose of influencing their members to vote a certain candidate in the coming Elections. “May I humbly request that if there be any pastor(s) who collected such money, they should please return such as quickly as possible before the fire of the almighty consumes you.”

The PDP has since denied making such a payment to pastors, describing the allegation as a sin against God.

I would like to reach out to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, to give an explicit account of the alleged Pastors paid to influence the votes of the church members, or he should publicly withdraw this statement and issue an apology to CAN. With the election over and other economic issues that require attention, it is only wise to stop spreading malicious rumours and embrace the truth. It is time to move on and improve our economy and the life of her citizens.