Church of Nigeria:

EMBRACE CREED ON GOOD GOVERNANCE - CAN President admonishes PDP Presidential Candidate

CONN/270307

'Tunde Popoola, Abuja

Sunday 25^th March, 2007. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua this afternoon, paid a courtesy call on the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Peter Akinola in his Abuja office.

Accompanied by Rev. Dr. Williams Okoye, the FCT CAN Chairman, Alh. Yar’adua said he came for the prelate’s prayers and blessings as he seeks Nigeria’s highest office. He said he had attempted to come earlier but was told the Archbishop had traveled.

L-R, Dr. Okoye, Abp. Akinola and Alh. Yar'adua

Outlining his plans for the country, Alh. Yar’adua assured that though a Moslem, he is determined by God’s grace to preside over a country where there is freedom of religion, and every Nigerian is challenged to work for a better country irrespective of his or her religion. Having learnt from President Obasanjo, he looks forward to maintaining a cordial relation with Nigeria’s two major faiths by worshipping in both the National Christian Centre and the National Mosque. He assured that the Christian Chapel in the Presidential Villa will continue to be opened for services just as President Obasanjo kept opened the Mosque on the same grounds throughout his eight years in office.

Responding, Archbishop Akinola said his first reaction on hearing about Alh. Yar’adua’s candidature was “ O my God, A Sharia Governor!” He said but with assurances from Christian leaders in Katsina State as well as President Obasanjo, he is satisfied that a Yar’adua led Federal Government will not be sectional but will seek to promote religious harmony and peaceful coexistence. Abp. Akinola assured Yar’adua that Christians are duty bound to pray for civil leaders irrespective of their faith. CAN is aware that God chooses leaders, through different means and for different purposes. CAN will therefore support whoever emerges as Nigeria’s president for the good of our country.

Presenting to the Presidential candidate a copy of the book, Nigeria Christian Creed on Governance, the CAN president, stressed that CAN has seen that a lot of people seek office with good intentions, only to fail woefully in office mostly due to corruption or week leadership. The 37 paged document states in clear terms what is required of leaders as well as what is expected of the governed. it seeks to commit both to a creed for Nigeria's good. The book includes among other topics, bible studies on Governance, Responsibilities, Accountability, Commitment, and closes with a spotlight on William Wilberforce’s work in ‘abolition of slavery’ and “reformation of manners”. Alh. Yar’adua collected more copies for other candidates in his political party, and prayed to be able to call for yet more copies for all elected officers come May 29^th.

Handing over the Creed on Governance

The interaction ended with prayers for the country, elections, the presidential candidate, and his campaign trips all over the country.

(Church of Nigeria News)