Northern Christians under the groups identified as Concerned Christians of Nigeria and Northern Nigerian Christians yesterday said recent political happenings and ‘corruption’ in the apex Christian body, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have forced them to revert to the pre-independence Northern Nigerian Christian Association (NNCA).

Daily Trust reports that the controversy that led to the emergence of the new CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, had been condemned by some Christian leaders from the North who accused the past CAN President, Ayo Oritsejafor, of deliberately frustrating the candidature of Rev. Jeremiah Gado of the TEKAN/ECWA bloc to prevent the emergence of a northerner.

In a joint press conference in Jos yesterday, Rev. Luka Shehu of Concerned Christians of Nigeria and Hon. Peter Luka of Northern Nigerian Christians, said the decision to revert to the Northern Nigerian Christians Association became necessary following what they described as the ‘travesty of justice, lies and manipulation’ that led to the emergence of Rev. Supo Ayokunle as CAN President, various acts of corruption by the leadership of CAN’ as well as neglect of northern Christians, especially those in the North-East.

“Considering our common shared values and peculiarities as Christians from CAN and after wide consultation among Christian leaders, traditional rulers, youths and women, we under these auspices from the north have unanimously decided to revert to the pre-independence Northern Nigeria Christian Association,” the groups said.

Rev. Shehu and Hon. Luka said billions of naira had been donated to CAN nationally and internationally to support Christians suffering from the activities of Boko Haram in the North-East but said, “Not a single kobo has been given.”

It was gathered that the groups will today begin registration of the northern Christian body and will situate its headquarters in Abuja. (Daily Trust)

•Photo shows CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle.

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