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

Osifo Honours UNIBEN Best Graduating Students With N1 Million

UNIBEN Best Graduating Students get N1 million Prize The Osasere Osifo Prize for Academic Excellence…

16 minutes ago

Edo State Govt Declares Over 200 Vehicles Missing

The committee set up by the Edo government to recover government assets says over 200…

3 hours ago

Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface Sidelined Due To Leg Injury

Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen will miss "a few games" following his return from international…

7 hours ago

Court Remands 109 Suspected Foreign Hackers In Jail For Cybercrime

ABUJA–On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja placed 109 suspected foreign hackers who tried…

8 hours ago

Simon Ekpa, A Terrorist With Zero Knowledge Of Biafra, Enugu Welcomes Arrest

Enugu State Government has commended the Government of the Republic of Finland for the arrest…

8 hours ago

Italy, Netherlands, Others To Enforce ICC Arrest Warrants Against Netanyahu

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and former…

11 hours ago