Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reacted to Femi Adesina’s statement claiming religious houses influenced members to embark on #EndSARS protests which degenerated into chaos and arson.
In an article entitled ‘If Nigeria dies, hatred killed her,’ Femi Adesina, Media aide to President Buhari accused religious houses of playing a role in the current state of chaos in the nation.
According to him, religious leaders through hate speech incited members against the government.
He wrote, “The EndSARS campaign began as an agitation against police brutality, in which there was unanimity of purpose. And suddenly, it became a vehicle of hate. Against leadership, against national cohesion, an opportunity to settle political scores, and equally prepare for a power grab in 2023. Hatred came into the mix.
“From hateful messages from the pulpit, as if that was the message of love Jesus Christ handed over to his followers; from unduly critical messages during Juma’at services; from radio and television programmes, in which bile is spewed. From talk shows which became a harangue of government, newspaper articles and columns tailored to instigate and generate dissent, and the like.”
However, the church has slammed Adesina and his boss saying Buhari-led administration is notorious for playing the blame game.
Pastor Bayo Oladeji speaking on behalf of CAN President Rev Supo Ayokunle said the present government has never taken responsibility for perceived maladministration but always shifts blame to a third party.
Oladeji said, “It is difficult to know if Femi Adesina was speaking his mind or the mind of his principal. The problem of some government’s functionaries begins with their myopic thought that they love the country more than the people. This is very wrong and unfortunate.
“Right from the outset of this government to date, its functionaries and spokespersons are notorious for blame game. They have never owned up like Adam and Eve who threw themselves out of the Garden of Eden as a result of blame game.
“Was it the church that gave an order to the military and the police to move to the streets against the protesters in the pretext of preventing it from being hijacked? Did the Federal Government seek counsel from the church on the steps taken? Was it the church that hired exotic cars, buses and lorries to transport the thugs that attacked unarmed protesters?
“The position of CAN has been the position of the United Nations, global citizens and some eminent citizens who have spoken. We learnt there was a virtual meeting organised by the Presidency with the former Presidents and Heads of State, we challenge the Presidency to publish the verbatim report of the virtual meeting to see if those former leaders commended the government for allowing the unprecedented peaceful protest to degenerate into bloodletting.”
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