CAN congratulates Buhari, seeks release of Leah Sharibu

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for his victory at the presidential election, in February.

The body also asked the president to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu from Boko Haram captivity.

Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, CAN president, led the executive council of the association, in a closed-door meeting with the president at the council chamber of the state house on Friday.

“This delegation has come on behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (the largest Christian Association in Africa) to congratulate you for victory and for being declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the just concluded 2019 Presidential Election in our nation,” said the CAN president.

“Our prayer for you is that God shall grant you everything it takes to perform hundred times better than your first term. We pray that your administration would lead Nigeria to become the glory and pride of the nations in Africa and a country many people would desire to be, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

“Please count on this organization as one that has the success of your administration at heart. In that respect, we would not cease in praying for you and speaking out about what is expected to be done from time to time in keeping with the Bible, the word of God.”

CAN seized the opportunity to highlight the issue of schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram.

“We solicit passionately for deliberate and relentless effort to free Leah Sharibu and other Chibok girls from captivity,” Ayokunle said.

“Each passing day inflicts anguish in the hearts of the parents of this young girl, the rest of us who are parents, all Nigerians and others all over the world who love freedom and regret that Leah’s life is being wasted in captivity for no sin of hers other than for her religion. Doing all within you to free Leah Sharibu and according it top priority shall confer greater credibility on your government and on you as a person.

“Please and please, Mr. President, let Leah Sharibu and those in captivity of insurgents be freed to enjoy their lives.”

Ayokunle, commenting on the recent bloodshed in parts of the country especially the north-east, said: “While we are thanking you for all your efforts at putting an end to bloodshed in the nation, we urge you to task the security agents to be more alive to their responsibilities by putting an end to insurgency, ethnic violence, kidnapping and herdsmen’s atrocities prevalent in our nation. Today, the north-west of Nigeria which used to be peaceful is also witnessing violent activities.

“The unnecessary killings in Kaduna and the detention of some leaders of Ajara chiefdom in Kaduna state since January should be addressed without delay to douse tension. All efforts today by all of us should be geared towards forgiving one another and reconciling with one another.”

Ayokunle also pleaded with the president to constitute a cabinet and appoint worthy Nigerians to the headship and membership of critical agencies, boards and parastatals.

“We were so happy listening to your speech after your re-election that you were going to run an all inclusive government. Having been re-elected President, you have become the President of all. In view of this, we urge you to see yourself as father to all by embracing all,” he said.

“We solicit for inclusiveness and fairness as you constitute your cabinet and appoint worthy Nigerians to the headship and membership of critical agencies, boards and parastatals.

“Your Excellency, there is no ethnic or religious group in Nigeria where you cannot find highly qualified men and women that you can engage to add value to your administration and help in moving the nation forward. This is the true and objective way in which you can give all in the country, a sense of belonging.”