This days, its a blurred line between religion and politics. Religious leaders are free cavorting with political office holders, the mix of religion and politics is perhaps more pronounced in Nigeria than anywhere else as a crack has emerged in the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over money given to it by the Buhari government.
The National Christian Elders Forum, (NCEF) is accusing the leadership of the body of corruption and abuse of office over a N40 million gift by the presidency.
In the memo, titled ‘NCEF Protests: Is NEC of CAN Guilty of Negligence?’, signed by Solomon Asemota, on behalf of some members, the NCEF called the national executive council (NEC) of CAN to immediately convene an emergency meeting to investigate the issues raised.
“On the 10th of November 2017, a delegation of CAN, led by the President of CAN, Rev. Dr. Ayokunle, met with President Muhammadu Buhari and, after the visit, collected ‘transportation’ money,” the memo read.
“While informed sources claim it was N40 million, CAN officials insist it was N25 million and it was alleged to have been shared by somebody who is not an official of the national secretariat of CAN.
“NCEF insists on proper investigation of how the money was shared and how much each person received. In addition, NCEF insists on proper sanction of every Christian leader that took part in sharing money from President Buhari.
“It is unethical and very insensitive for Christian leaders to collect money from the man every Christian is aware has compromised security to the detriment of the church.”
The group also demanded a probe into vehicles purchased at “questionable prices”.
“In all, N43 million was spent to purchase four second hand vehicles in Cotonou,” the statement read.
“This allegation is too big to be swept under the carpet. (This vehicle is parked at the National Christian Centre, Abuja).
“The auditor presented a financial report to CAN that did not include the N43 million spent on vehicles in Cotonou. Where did N43 million disappear to?”.
Ayokunle in his response describes the allegations as “a catalogue of lies” orchestrated to smear his reputation.
Why would the presidency give CAN money? For what? This shameful practice of giving money to religious leaders has been with us for eons and it must be stopped. We are talking about CAN now, who knows how much is given to the Muslims body as ‘transport money’. Did they walk to Abuja? Don’t they have a car or what? Is this another way of seeking endorsement and votes?
From which budget did this money sourced? We will run this country aground if we continue this attitude of sharing money. Our religious leaders both Muslims and Christians are as corrupt, insensitive and callous as the politicians. In this day and age, and with all the noise we are still like this! The NCEF’s cry is a cry of the wolf. They are making this noise perhaps because they are left out in the sharing formula of the cake.
We held on to the notion that the President Buhari government will different from the cesspool of shit that governed us from 1999 till his emergence in 2015. Alas! it’s the same of the same. An elongation of rottenness, politics of the belly.
