The Christian Association of Nigeria has faulted President Goodluck Jonathan’s stance on Boko Haram insurgency in the North, insisting that the sect has attacked and killed more Christians than Muslims.
The President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, through his Special Assistant, Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, said it was difficult to believe that the President made such a statement, since it had become public knowledge that Christians had been at the receiving end of the terrorists’ attacks.
Oritsejafor challenged the authorities to provide figures of Muslims who had died as a result of Boko Haram attacks and compare it with the over 2,000 Christians that had been killed by the sect.
He said, “Well, I won’t want to believe that President Jonathan said that. But if we verify that he actually said that more Muslims had died in Boko Haram attacks than Christians, we will respond to him appropriately. But everybody knows that Boko Haram has been targeting Christians. Have you heard of any mosque that was either bombed or burnt by Boko Haram? I’ve only heard of Boko Haram attacking people coming out of the mosque. Those are targeted people – Muslims who are not sympathetic to Boko Haram.
“It is on record that more than 2,000 Christians have been killed by Boko Haram. Have you heard Islamic leader talking about Muslim casualties the way we have been shouting? Anybody saying that should bring out the figures of Muslims that have died in this crisis. I believe the onus of proof lies on the people propagating such misinformation.”
He added that the sect had made it clear from the outset that they were targeting security agents; some Muslims, who give them out; and Christians.
Also, Christians in the North has vented their anger on the President over his comment.
They said if the comment credited to the President were correct, then it was unfortunate that the President will utter such “unpardonable statement.”
The spokesman of CAN in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Sunday Oibe, in a statement on Saturday in Kaduna, insisted that the statement was unfortunate and an attempt by the President to distort facts.
At the opening session of a meeting with the Honorary International Investor Council led by Baroness Lynda Chalker at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, President Jonathan said the unfolding events in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states had confirmed his belief that religion was not the cause of the insurgencies in the country.
He attributed the insecurity in the country to the activities of “internationally-backed terror groups,” adding that “People thought the insurgency is about religious issues but the pattern of attacks shows clearly that it has nothing to do with religion. Just as there are threats to churches, so also are threats to mosques. They attack everywhere, killing Muslims and Christians. Even more Muslims have died in the conflict than Christians have.”
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The president better be carefull with his utterances if really he will say a thing like that. 99 percent of Churches in the Core North have been burnt down.
ReplyDeleteThose in the South What do they know about the suffering of Northern Christians ??? Going to Church Alone is a Suicide Attempt, GEJ better sit up and don't allow the pressure the North is putting on him for the Soul of 2015 make him say rubbish.
Dis xtain leaders are shameless indeed.
ReplyDeleteits sad to see how deep the divide in our society has become the CAN president is a disgrace
ReplyDeleteGEJ should stop playing politics. He said that bcos he want vote from Muslims in 2015.
ReplyDelete@emex:mr jonathan is never in anyway under presure from the north,the truth of the matter is that oga jona is a confussed person right from time and he lack the experience to leading this great country as a president. he lack such qualities as a leader and you idiots and the stupid (can) president are the one confussing him the more,it‘s only an idiot that at this juncture will sit down and begin to claim and count loses. what we all need is a lasting solutions to this insecurity problems that is initiated by this present pdp govement.
ReplyDeleteTaranu or woteva u kulled ursef,mind ur tongue or face d flamming sword of out Lord Jesus Christ . Be warned.
Delete@emex:mr jonathan is never in anyway under presure from the north,the truth of the matter is that oga jona is a confussed person right from time and he lack the experience to leading this great country as a president. he lack such qualities as a leader and you idiots and the stupid (can) president are the one confussing him the more,it‘s only an idiot that at this juncture will sit down and begin to claim and count loses. what we all need is a lasting solutions to this insecurity problems that is initiated by this present pdp govement.
ReplyDeleteXtian leaders are only being factual and bold to express their view of GEJ's unruly comment. Pls leave the CAN predident alone. Yes, he is right at least on this occasion
ReplyDeleteXtian leaders are only being factual and bold to express their view of GEJ's unruly comment. Pls leave the CAN predident alone. Yes, he is right at least on this occasion
ReplyDeleteXtian leaders are only being factual and bold to express their view of GEJ's unruly comment. Pls leave the CAN predident alone. Yes, he is right at least on this occasion
ReplyDeleteXtian leaders are only being factual and bold to express their view of GEJ's unruly comment. Pls leave the CAN predident alone. Yes, he is right at least on this occasion
ReplyDeleteWhat fools we africans are. We kill ourselves over imported religions that have been used to subjugate and colonise us while we hunt down any pagans and even condemn them for even little gestures like acknowledging our history and ancestry. Oh what fools we have become
ReplyDeleteEveryone is confused.What a mess
ReplyDelete