CAN refutes receiving N2bn from Peter Obi

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has refuted allegations of receiving N2 billion from the presidential candidate of the labour Party (LP),  Peter Obi, for Churches in the country.

The President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, indicated that the so-called allegation arising from a petition by Pastor Frank Onwumere, was illogical.

Archbishop Okoh declared that the petition which was addressed to his office, can at best be described as a failed attempt to drag the Christian Association of Nigeria into the politics of 2023. He said that CAN will investigate the source of the letter in the interest of the public.

Archbishop Okoh expressed that he is not aware of any N2 billion given to Churches in Nigeria to mobilise votes for any 2023 presidential candidate, saying that he never received the said petition dated December 22, 2022.

Archbishop Okoh declared in the statement: “Nigerians should note that CAN, as a faith-based entity, maintains its non-partisan stance and will not endorse or mobilise support for any candidate in the upcoming elections as against the social media post being circulated by some elements bent on soiling its name and image.”

The CAN President, therefore, urged members of the public to disregard the purported petition as its content are not only untrue, but malicious.

Archbishop Okoh cautioned those spreading false information against CAN to desist from such acts, saying they are capable of defaming innocent people and revered religious institutions as well as breaching public peace.

The Special Adviser to Peter Obi on Strategic Alliances, Valentine Ozigbo, also declared that the N2 billion alleged cash gift to CAN by Obi is fake news.

Ozigbo, speaking on Channels Television   on Monday emphasised that the individual who was alleged to have made the claim, has gone on to deny it.

Ozigbo stated that “politicians are doing all kinds of things just to portray Peter Obi in a negative light, a move which has yielded no fruit as Peter Obi remains untainted even by the fake news being peddled by leaders of other parties.”