Some leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) clash over some media reports on President Bola Tinubu’s son Seyi.
While the Chairman of the CAN in the 19 Northern states and FCT, condemned the reports, describing them as misleading and false against Seyi Tinubu,
CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, swiftly disowned Rev. Hayab, saying only CAN President can issue official national or international statements.
Rev. Hayab, in a statement he personally signed, said the President’s son should be blackmailed for being Tinubu’s son.
While countering the Chairman of Northern CAN on the matter, Okoh said “This clarification is necessary to ensure accurate public representation and to prevent the spread of misinformation. CAN operates a four-tier structure. At the national level, the Association is headquartered in Abuja and led by the President and the National Executive Council (NEC).
“The General Assembly ratifies significant decisions, including the election of the President. This level is responsible for national policy direction and represents all Christian denominations across Nigeria,” the statement reads in parts.
He said the authority to issue official press statements on behalf of CAN resides solely with the President, as stipulated in the CAN Constitution.
He said, “The current President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, is therefore the only person empowered to speak on behalf of the association on matters of national and international importance. While zonal, state, and local chapters may issue communications relevant to their immediate contexts, they are not authorised to issue statements representing the national position of CAN unless expressly permitted by the national leadership.
“It has come to the attention of the national leadership that certain statements attributed to entities such as ‘Northern CAN’, ‘Southern CAN’, and other regional or unofficial groups are in circulation. CAN categorically states that these entities are not recognised within its constitutional structure.
“Any statements issued by such groups do not reflect the official position of CAN and should be disregarded by the public and the media.”
Archbishop Okoh urged stakeholders, especially media organisations, to verify the authenticity of any communication attributed to CAN by contacting the National Secretariat or confirming that it is signed by the President or his designated representative.
He said this will help prevent misinformation and preserve the integrity of CAN’s official voice.
Some media organisations had reported that thugs linked to Seyi Tinubu disrupted the inauguration of the national executive of a faction of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The reports said two former governors, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano and Captain Idris Wada of Kogi as well as an emir and other personalities were also attacked.
Umoru Faruk Salifu
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