The Christian Association of Nigeria, Taraba State Chapter, called for calm on Sunday amid controversy over its endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate for the upcoming Saturday election. In a letter sent last week to various church blocs in the state, the Christian body urged them to vote for the PDP candidate, Lt. Col. Agbu Kefas (rtd.). The endorsement was met with disappointment from the All Progressives Congress, Labour Party, and Social Democratic Party governorship candidates, who expressed their disapproval at a press conference.
Speaking at the press conference in Jalingo, CAN’s state chairman, Rev. Isaiah Magaji, explained that the decision to back the PDP candidate was intended to unite the five Christian governorship aspirants and ease the tension that had been building. “CAN has played a major role in uniting the church and providing a way forward in such circumstances. In 2011, Late Danbaba and Ikenya were locked in a conflict, and to avoid bloodshed we intervened and endorsed Late Danbaba Suntai. In 2015, a similar situation arose between Darius Ishaku and David Sabo Kente. Those who are upset today have benefited from CAN’s interventions in the past, and they are where they are because of CAN’s leadership,” he said.
Rev. Magaji added that the association was concerned about the growing tension and its possible consequences. Before reaching the decision, CAN consulted church blocs and local government chapters, using their input to guide the endorsement. He cautioned politicians against inflaming the situation further, noting that all candidates had been contacted prior to the endorsement. CAN affirmed its respect for every candidate and expressed willingness to work with them in their future political careers.
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