A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), has flayed the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over its comments following alert by the Department of State Services (DSS) that there was plot to incite religious crisis in some parts of the country.
CAN and some socio-cultural organisations, including the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Afenifere, had criticised the DSS for its “penchant for fear mongering.”
However, the SNM in a press statement by the Convener, Abel King, expressed concern over the conduct of some religious leaders who had been inflaming passions along religious lines aimed at breaching the peace in the country.
The group, which enjoined religious leaders to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, urged them to desist from making comments capable of discrediting efforts of the nation’s security agencies.
The CSO maintained that such position was uncalled for, unnecessary, unfounded and most despicable as it was least expected of the apex organisation representing the body of Christ.
“We can excuse individual religious leaders for holding their views, even if they do so with obvious reasons that threaten national security, but we cannot excuse same when it becomes obvious that it’s an agenda for a certain group to cause civil disorder using established platforms such as CAN.
“The body of Christ in Nigeria has never been muzzled. If there was any urge to do that, a lot of religious leaders would not be free today. we expect that religious leaders would use their platforms to preach and promote peace rather than inflame passions and discredit security agencies,” the statement read in part.
The group enjoined CAN to offer apologies to Nigerians over attempt by its vice president, North, to undermine the DSS, just as it urged Nigerians to remain focused and determined to abide by the way of peace and unity at all times.
