Members of the Conference of Concerned Christians of Nigeria (CCCN) have joined the array of organisations and personalities condemning the appearance of some persons, who masqueraded as bishops and pastors at Wednesday’s unveiling of Senator Kashim Shettima, as vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was an admixture of disbelief and shock when dignitaries, including journalists, watched as some ‘bishops and pastors’ lined up – in what appeared like theatrical projection of the medieval kind – to give a fake seal to the heavily-criticised same faith ticket of the ruling APC.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Rev Bitrus Chollom, and National Secretary, Pastor James Alkali, the Christian organisation challenged the APC to disclose the names of the ‘Bishops’ and their respective denominations, to allow for scrutiny.
The statement warned that harsh judgement awaits those that seek to embarrass the Body of Christ, for a mess of pottage, vowing to make public the identities of all those they described as “interlopers and usurpers”, in a bid to convince Nigerians that the APC – as presently constituted – is a scam that happened to the country.
The CCCN said: “For instance, many, who witnessed the ‘show-of-shame’, wondered why true ‘men of God’, who are worth their salt, will shove and push, in order to gain entrance to the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, venue of the unveiling ceremony.
“Also on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, angry stakeholders in the New Nigerian Project, had described the fake attendees variously as “fake”, “charlatans”, “impostors”, “spoilers”, “interlopers”, “pretenders”, and the like.
“Our position is accentuated by no less a personality than a social critic and renowned pastor, Reno Omokri, who said those that showed up at the Shehu Yar’Adua event, were neither pastors, nor members of the CAN.”
Speaking further on the development, the (CCCN) said: “We challenge Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to disclose to the world the identities of the so-called pastors and bishops, who were so unsure of themselves, by virtue of what transpired during their ‘shopping-in’.
“To the charlatans, we advise you to repent of your evil outing, denounce the choreography that characterised the event, to serve as recompense.
“As a responsible body that serves to preserve the ends of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), we will deploy all legal and legitimate resources at our disposal, to unveil the veil that the detractors of Christianity thought will shield their identities.
“It is unfortunate that these evil men failed to ponder over the persecution Christians are suffering in the North – especially – before embarking on this infantile journey.
“May we use this opportunity to assure the CAN, and by extension, the majority of Nigerians, that the will of God will definitely prevail come 2023, regardless of whatever gimmicks the APC and their presidential candidate may be up to.
“The General elections, no doubt, will serve as referendum on bad governance, occasioned by insecurity, biting poverty, hunger and excruciating concerns that debase humanity under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government” We are happy that the CAN has since reacted to the charade of endorsement that happened in Abuja.”
