‘Nothing Like That’, CAN Denies Receiving ‘Largesse’ From Buhari

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, says it has not received any money from the President Muhammadu Buhari government since its inception in 2015.

The Christian body stated this on Thursday in a statement by Pastor Adeniyi Adeyemi, secretary to CAN Chairman in the Ondo state, Rev. Dr. Akintunde Akin-Akinsanya.

Adeyemi spoke during the induction ceremony of new officers of the women wing of the association in the state.

The secretary was reacting to reports alleging that the association received huge sum of money from the Buhari government.

Adeyemi, who described the reports as mere political antics, said it is normal for it to be raised at a time elections are around the corner.

He further called on President Buhari to step up efforts to curb incessant killings in the country.

Adeyemi said the State Chairman was unavoidably absent owing to an emergency meeting in Abuja.

When asked if the Abuja meeting was in connection with the recent allegation of the presidential largess, Adeyemi refuted saying, “There is nothing like largess in CAN. It is almost becoming the usual thing for people to start rumours like this especially when the electioneering period is getting near. That was how a similar rumour was going round in 2015.

“In fact, a time like this is a difficult time in CAN because we just lost our General Secretary and I think that is the reason for the emergency meeting. There was no largess nor bribe from the Presidency.

“I am the General Secretary of CAN in Ogun state and as a result, I know what goes on in CAN, especially in Ogun state.

“While I would not say that the President should resign sincerely, as a Church of Christ, we are concerned with the rate of killings in the country.

“We are not only concerned because Christians are being killed. Because we know that Muslims too are being killed as well. But we are all Nigerians.

“If you look at the killings, it is mostly taking place in the Christian-dominated areas and that is our concern.

“Hence, the President should please step up actions on security in the country. Nigerians must see that he is taking security seriously.

“But we may not say the President should resign because we believe he can still do better.”