A group of women on Thursday called on the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to break his silence on the killings in the country.
The protesters stormed the National Christian Centre, venue of the 11th General Assembly of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Abuja, to register their displeasure with Adeboye’s decision to keep sealed lips over the killings.
They also submitted a protest letter at CAN secretariat.
But CAN said it would investigate their grievances, but exonerated Adeboye, saying its President, Supo Ayokunle, speaks for Christians.
The women were received by CAN Director (National Issues and Social Welfare), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, and Vice-Chairman (Northern Region), Rev Joseph Hayab.
Spokeswoman for the group, Juliet Ibrahim, who claimed to be a member of the RCCG in Nyanya parish of Abuja, said Adeboye should fight for Christians.
She said, “We are here fighting for the survival of our country. We are in pain; we are in sorrow over the killings and devastating things happening to our children.
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“We want Adeboye to speak out; we want him to fight for us; we want to hear from him. If we hear from him, we will be calm. We are happy that CAN has spoken and they (0fficials) have encouraged us and we appreciate their encouragement.”
But Adegbite said, “There is no division in CAN; we are one body standing together because united we stand, divided we fall. So we are not going to be divided. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you because what we are doing today (CAN General Assembly) is to the glory of God and you are part of that celebration.”
Asked if CAN would investigate the issues raised about Adeboye, he said, “We are going to do everything. But we cannot suspend Adeboye”.
Hayab said the constitution did not confer on Adeboye the legitimacy to speak for Christians in Nigeria.
He said, “You see, we are trying to avoid the politicisation of the issue of religion. Adeboye is a leader of a denomination. Has he offended the denomination? There is no constitution of Nigeria which says that Adeboye as the leader of a denomination should speak for Christians.
“The constitution of CAN says the President of CAN should speak for CAN and the man, out of respect, has said that when the President of CAN speaks, he can’t speak again.
“If the President of Nigeria speaks, the SGF (Secretary to the Government of the Federation) will not speak again; the Chief of Staff will not speak again.” [PUNCH]
