by Azeez Adeniyi

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Samson Olasupo Ayokunle has said it was unfortunate that the Federal Government has been unable to arrest herdsmen allegedly responsible for the killing of Christians in many parts of the country.

Ayokunle spoke at a press conference to herald the 104th annual session of the convention holding in Abuja on Friday.

He said the government has been giving excuses over its inability to stop the killings which has led to accusations of religious favoritism.

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Ayokunle added that it was troubling that Nigeria was classified as the most dangerous for Christians to live.

“Just in February this year, the United States House of Representatives cited Nigeria as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world. Certainly, this is a most unpleasant classification for a country that is a democracy and the giant of Africa. What type of giant are we? It is a classification that should not make patriotic Nigerians glad in a country where population is roughly divided equally between Islam and Christianity.

“It is essential for the Federal Government in whose care instruments of cohesion lie to quickly remedy this situation. It will be in the interest of national development and peaceful co-existence. If continuous killings have not been happening, we would not have been shouting wolf where there was none. We appeal to the government to desisit from giving excuses anymore why the killings are still occurring. We what an end to be put to the killings henceforth. Enough is enough.

“All must be done in political appointments and in the conduct of government business to reflect federal character not only on ethnicity but equally ensuring religious balance. The suspicion of favouritism by government of one religious group to the detriment of others must be avoided. The more the government adheres to these admonitions, the more coherent we would be as a people and the greater the peace and development.”

Azeez