The leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ogbomoso Zone, has declared that the body is not into the business of endorsement of candidates for elective offices, adding that it related to all on equal terms but recognise good service delivery.
President, Ogbomoso Baptist Conference, Rev. (Dr.) Thomas Niyi-Ojo, made the clarification while speaking on recent meetings between the Association and representatives of political parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC) officials of the Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration including the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, SAN, and the Director General of Oyo State Signage Agency (OYSSIA) Hon. Temi Adibi.
The CAN President said that while the association recognised and commended the good works and successes recorded in the nearly four years of governor Makinde, it cannot endorse any governorship candidate for the March 18 election.
He said that wherever an association like CAN sees good works, it usually prays for such works to continue such that the society will benefit.
Speaking after a meeting with the Attorney General and OYSSIA boss, which held at Ogbomoso Baptist Conference Event Hall, Ore Merin, Ogbomoso, Reverend Niyi-Ojo said: “Let me inform you that we recognise the good works of His Excellency, Gov. Seyi Makinde, in the last four years and it is our wish that he continues. As you are here today and as we have received and welcomed you, you are free to make known to people your desires or wishes and we shall then go out there to encourage our people to go to their various polling units on the election day and vote according to their conscience. And the Lord will grant the desire of everyone according to His will.”
Similarly, Rev. Thomas used the opportunity to explain that Christian body in Ogbomoso has never, at anytime, met to endorse any candidate, saying that the gathering was not for endorsement but to pray for the will of God to prevail in the affairs of the state.
While saying that there is a dire need for good governance in the state, the cleric said none among the gubernatorial contestants is hated and the church will continue to pray for a successful leadership for any candidate who emerges victorious in the contest.
“Let me state clearly, again, on behalf of our people here seated that we love all contestants, irrespective of political office you are contesting for in the coming election because you are our people. We are wishing all of you a glorious success and whoever wins we shall continue to pray for successful leadership. “The fact remains that there is a dire need for good governance.
“There was a video and report spreading on social media projecting a gathering in Ogbomoso where CAN in Ogbomoso was said to have endorsed or blessed a particular party candidate.
“That video and report were malicious and does not represent the truth. It was a political bullet aiming to damage the reputation of CAN body and assassinate the character and integrity of some particular Church heads in Ogbomoso. There was no time when Christian body in the name of CAN endorsed any candidate and that there will not be a time when CAN, as a body in whatever way, will endorse any candidate of political party.
“Christian Body or a leader is free to pray for any political candidate who comes before him or her for prayers. Praying for a candidate at any gathering does not mean endorsement,” he said.
Speaking earlier, during his sermon themed: ‘The Supremacy of God’s Kingdom’, with 1st Chron. 29:10-13 as anchor scripture, the cleric explained that the Kingdom of God is supreme and every other Kingdom, no matter how popular it may be, must be subjected to God’s kingdom.
He maintained that the supremacy of God’s Kingdom must always be acknowledged because greatness, power, glory, splendour, majesty, kingdom, exaltation, wealth, honour, heaven and earth belong to Him.
He, however, charged the gathering to be grateful to God for the purpose of bringing some aspects of his rulership closer to mankind, and for the opportunity given to humans to put some people in position of authority to exercise some aspects of ruler ship.
