By Tina George, Minna
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Niger state has denied claims that it had sold out the interests of Christians for financial gains from politicians.
The chairman of Niger chapter, Mr Mathias Echioda was referring to allegations that the branch leadership had been silent on issues affecting Christians in the state.
However, Echioda at the Economic and Political Summit organized by the state youth wing of the association, held at the ECWA Goodnews in Minna, declared that the association had not soiled its hands and conscience by collecting money from any politician or government for the association.
“We have not soiled our hands with any dirty dealings with any politician; our hands are clean; our conscience has remained clean. Contrary to what people are saying, we have not been bought over by anyone or any government.
“We have integrity higher than what people are saying. Our hands and conscience are clean. We are doing our best to protect the interests of Christians in Niger state and I believe we will keep doing our best,” he said.
Echioda who lamented that the Christians and churches in the state do not accord respect to CAN, said that the association could get the respect it deserved from outsiders only if its members and followers accord them respect.
He called on Christian politicians to put themselves together and decide on how to present a strong front and candidates for the 2023 elections, adding that one of the goals of the association is to bring every Christian in the state together in one understanding.
The chairman noted that lack of support from Christians in the past had led Christians not having people in key positions of authority, stressing that 2023 should be the time to change that narrative.
A Governorship candidate in the 2019 election, Joshua Bawa called on Christians in the state, to support people who come out to contest for elective offices.
He recalled that the reason he did not clinch the governorship seat he contested, was because he did not have the backing of the church in the state adding that, that was also responsible for other candidates who contested but lost.
“Imagine in Niger state, there is just one Christian in the state House of Assembly and most of the key appointments are not given to Christians because when it comes to voting, Christians do not come out to vote.
“The support we, as politicians are calling for is not financial but that when it is time for the election, all Christians should come out and vote for their candidates. The Christian contestants need the votes of the people in the church. We have seen the need for us to support ourselves, let us change the narrative during the 2023 election.”
The Vice President of Mastercard and a one-time senatorial aspirant, Mr Paul Tswanya said that Christians need the support of the church to galvanize and guarantee them that they will get the votes from the church.
According to him, Christian youths need to be politically relevant and get involved in the political process.
One of the speakers, Mrs Maimuna Dangana-Duza called on women and female youths to also be relevant in the political process in the state.
She encouraged the youths to explore the current technological innovations and empower themselves.
The Chairman, Youth Wing of CAN, Habila Doko explained that the economic and political summit is to encourage Christian youths in the state on the need to become politically and economically viable.
He said that it is also to encourage Christian youths to get prepared ahead of the 2023 general elections.
