Kwara State Governor Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed
The
Christian Association of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter on Friday
declined the state government’s invitation for CAN to conduct the
ceremonial service for 2013 Independence anniversary.
The Christian body also directed all
Christian intending pilgrims to Jerusalem this year to reject any offer
of sponsorship from the state government.
The state CAN Chairman, Dr. James
Folaranmi, on Friday told journalists in Ilorin that the organisation
took the decisions during its emergency meeting on Friday in Ilorin.
He said its members should instead
gather at the United Missionary Theological Church along Offa Garage
Area, Ilorin by 5pm on Sunday for “a special prayer for the nation.”
Folaranmi said, “We received a few days
ago a letter from the government seeking for our organisation of this
year service for the nation’s independence anniversary.
“But we have asked the concerned authorities that can two persons walk or work together except they had first agreed?
“In view of our position and the
governor’s own, we are not in tandem and we can’t be hypocritically
organising any service ordered by the government that is denying our
existence in the state.
“Because we love our father land, all
Christian faithful have been asked to gather at the UMTC on Sunday
evening to pray for the peace and progress of our country.
“Besides, no Christian in the state
should accept any Jerusalem sponsorship from the government. These are
the decisions reached on Friday at the end of our emergency meeting.”
CAN had complained of marginalisation in appointments, political positions and promotions.
It had claimed that out of about 147 political positions in the state, less than 30 are Christians.
But the Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed denied any maginalisation of Christians.
He also claimed that appointments into
political offices and other positions in the state were purely on merit
and geographical balancing.
He said considerations for appointments ‘had never and will never be on religion.’
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