Categories: METRO

Stop Misinforming Nigerians, Femi Adesina Tells CAN

The Presidency has warned the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to desist from dividing Nigerians through disinformation.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement, responded to CAN’s media briefing, in which the body alleged that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had been paying ransom to terrorists selectively.

The Spokesman of CAN, Kwamkur Samuel, had been quoted as alleging that the Presidency had in separate occasions paid ransom to Boko Haram to get Moslem hostages released, but had drawn back in cases involving Christian victims who found themselves in a similar circumstance, citing the cases of Chibok and Dapchi girls.

But in its response, the Presidency described CAN’s latest allegation is a divisive ploy, aimed at making the efforts of the President to find peace for all Nigerians look bad.

We are again constrained to react to unfounded allegations by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) about the payment or non-payment of ransom for the release of the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls.

“Media reports quoted CAN’s Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Kwamkur Samuel to have said inter alia: ‘Nigerians need to know, if they have not known the reason why the Presidency could not pay ransom to rescue Chibok girls. It is because 80% to 90% of the girls are Christians. The reason why Dapchi girls’ ransom was quickly paid and they were returned is the discovery that most of the girls were Muslims except Leah Sharibu who is still in captivity.’

“When the media in August 2018 quoted a United Nations Report alleging that the Federal Government paid a ‘huge ransom’ for the release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls on March 21, 2018, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, immediately disputed the report, insisting that no ransom was paid, ‘little or huge.’ According to the Minister, ‘There must be a conclusive evidence to support such a claim. Without that, the claim remains what it is – a mere conjecture.’

Sponsored

“And we ask, ‘Who should Nigerians or CAN rather believe, if there is good faith?

“We urge CAN to desist from disinformation which can further divide Nigerians. The letter and spirit of the Holy Bible do not support discord, which CAN’s allegations are liable to cause.

“The Christian body need not be antagonistic to every attempt by the administration to move Nigeria forward, before it can champion or defend the Christian faith.

“President Muhammadu Buhari made it very clear in 2015 that if ransom needed to be paid to free the Chibok schoolgirls, he would pay. That is a testament to his commitment to get the girls back.

“Notwithstanding our different faiths, we are all stakeholders in the promotion of peace in our fatherland. And the Holy Bible enjoins us to, “Seek peace, and pursue it”, the statement said.

SPONSORED
ABN TV EDITOR

ABN TV is one of the most visited news platform across Nigeria and the world over. It has carved a niche for itself in delivering authentic, accurate news.

Recent Posts

‘I Met Dead Bat On My Bed’, Okpebholo Narrates How He Won Edo Guber Poll

The recently sworn in governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has narrated the spiritual battle…

5 hours ago

Tricycle Stolen At Gunpoint In Umuahia Amidst Of Insecurity In Abia

A daring armed robbery occurred last night in Umuahia when gunmen snatched a tricycle, popularly…

7 hours ago

Delta Assembly Signs Electricity Bill Into Law

The Electricity Power Sector Bill 2024 has been signed into law by the Delta State…

7 hours ago

Declare State Of Emergency On Southern Routes, CSG Urges Tinubu

A new umbrella organization for all southern groups, the Coalition of Southern Groups (CSG), has…

8 hours ago

FG Secures Fresh $134m Loan From AfDB To Boost Dry Season Farming

The Federal Government has secured a loan facility of $134million from the African Development Bank…

8 hours ago

Ebonyi Ex-Commissioner Decamps PDP For APC

Abia Onyike, a former commissioner in Ebonyi State, has joined the All Progressives Congress, the…

8 hours ago