The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and Abuja has condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide, Lauretta Onochie, for describing the association as “CAN of Worms” in a Twitter post.
The association also called on President Buhari to caution his aides against unguarded speeches capable of creating religious tension in the country.
Onochie had tweeted, “Prime Minister Theresa May, a Christian, is in a mosque doing what humans go to do in a place of worship. She knows that her God is the same one also called Allah. Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN of worms, here’s a great lesson in love and godliness, not hatred and anger.”
Reacting to her tweet, the northern CAN in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Reverend Joseph J. Hayab said that never in the history of Nigeria has a Presidential spokesperson displayed ignorance and greed for opportunity by insulting an entire religion and its organized association.
“Sadly, this Presidential aide does not know that the example she gave using Theresa May is what many of us have been doing for decades to promote religious understanding and reduce tension in Northern Nigeria.
“I can proudly tell her and her sponsors that I have personally as a leader in CAN attended many Ramadan lectures and Friday prayers in many mosques in and out of this country which inspired Theresa May and many other Western leaders to emulate.
“This same spokeswoman, Lauretta Onochie is notorious for insulting a former Nigeria leader by posting a picture of him praying to God and saying that his prayers were ‘stupid’ and ‘useless’.
“Who on earth does that if not someone whose belly is her god. CAN Northern States and Abuja want her to know that power is transient and we have seen opportunist like her who end with regrets,” the statement read.
Reverend Hayab further noted that Northern CAN in Nigeria preaches and practices peace as well as call for justice which is the bedrock of true peace.
“We will never speak evil of another religion and have been calling on all true Christians in position of Authority to use good and godly words even when responding to insults no matter the provocation,” he said.
“CAN Northern States once again remind President Buhari to caution his aides not to create further religious tension with their unguarded speeches.
“They should learn from previous Nigeria leaders both Christians and Muslim whose aides did not ever publicly or privately disparage People of other faiths. And if she has done this foolish act to gain favors then, our Muslim brothers and friends should know that she is a child that probably did not have a good home training about manners,” it added.
Northern CAN therefore called on the international community to take note of those promoting hate speeches and segregation in Nigeria by openly insulting people of other faiths without knowledge of the realities on ground.
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