Para-Mallam said his name was smuggled into the list, while stressing that he is not a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria.
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – Some Christians whose names were included in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) have distanced themselves from the Party, saying it was done without their consent.
The APC on Wednesday night, October 21, 2022, released a reviewed list of members of its campaign council, with about eight Christians included.
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has since distanced himself from the council in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, October 22.
The inclusion of the Christians in the list amidst stiff opposition over the APC Muslim-Muslim ticket had caused friction in groups affiliated to CAN.
However, some nominees have come out to disclose that they were not consulted by the ruling party for consent before they were included in the APC PCC.
Archbishop Okoh, the CAN President, said the body is investigating the development, saying the inclusion of the names of some outgoing officials of CAN in the revised list is worrisome because it counters the well-known stance of CAN on partisanship.
He stated: “My attention as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to the revised list of members of the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 President Campaign Council wherein the names of some outgoing officials of the body were featured.
“Such a development is worrisome because it counters the well-known stance of CAN.
“I want to categorically exonerate my humble self from this development and any of such that may occur in the future.
“I want to use this medium to assure all Christians in Nigeria and the general public that since I received the news, I have commenced full investigation into how the officials got involved into overt partisanship.
Similarly, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam and his wife, Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam, accused the APC of adding them to the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council without their consent.
The social justice peace advocate and his spouse are members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
In a statement issued on Friday, October 21, 2022, Para-Mallam said his name was smuggled into the list, while stressing that he is not a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria.
The cleric, while distancing himself from the same faith ticket, aligned with the position of the CAN which is against the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the APC and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, despite national outcry.
About eight members of CAN were listed in the APC PCC, leading to friction in several churches and gatherings of CAN leaders.
Those included in the campaign council include the Assistant General Secretary of CAN, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu who listed as Assistant Coordinator; its Lagos State chairman, Stephen Adegbite, a supporter of Tinubu (member); Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Comfort Chigbue (member); and Testimony Onifade, former Personal Assistant to immediate past CAN President, Samson Supo Ayokunle (member).
Others are Victor Ivoke, Personal Assistant to Rev. Daniel Okoh, current President of CAN (member); CAN former Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Kwamkur Samuel (member) and Prof. Para-Mallam (member).
Although the tenure of the CAN officials would elapse in ten days time, sources said that Samuel has applied for reappointment.
Para-Mallam said in his statement: “My attention has been drawn to a list in circulation which indicates that I (or my wife – Prof. (Funmi) Para-Mallam) have been nominated to serve in the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council. Neither of us is aware of this nomination and our consent was not sorted.
“Nigeria is a great country; our present setbacks notwithstanding. But I believe that Nigeria will be great again. I love this country. I am not a partisan politician. I am a clergyman and a social justice peace advocate. I am non-partisan. I am also not a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria today (not that it would be wrong, but I am not at moment).
“Besides, CAN has taken a position against any Muslim-Muslim ticket and any Christian-Christian ticket. I respect that decision. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. This contextual reality needs to show in the way our political parties play their politics through fair internal party politics.
“Accepting to serve in the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council will negate this fundamental reality of what we are as a multi-religious country. Politics of inclusiveness should override politics of exclusion not just in 2023 but beyond.
“I, therefore, wish to distance myself from membership of any campaign team of any political party in the forthcoming 2023 elections. I have some respected and close friends in all the major political parties. I will continue to work to promote political harmony and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. May God give Nigeria peaceful 2023 elections.
“God bless Nigeria and guide both the parties and Nigerians as the campaign season commences.”