By Sam Eyoboka and Olayinka Latona
CONTRARY to popular belief that the Federal Government had done extensive consultation before its pronouncement on oil subsidy removal, the umbrella body of Christians in the country, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday denied any knowledge of such a plan.

In an interview, the CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor said nobody consulted with his organization and any reaction being expressed by members is borne out by what they have read in the media. The CAN president said this has become necessary in order to clear the air on earlier reports which said CAN had thrown its weight behind the federal plans to remove the subsidy.

According to him, “I am not for or against the proposal for the removal of oil subsidy and therefore I will not be able to take a stand on the issue. My argument has been that if the government thinks the removal is desirable, it should have consulted all those who would bear the brunt of the move.

“I am of the opinion that the government should have long before the announcement was made, consulted with Labour, Religious leaders, traditional rulers, women leaders, market women, youth leaders and even students with a view to educating them on the reasons for the proposal and assuring them on what plans the government has to cushion the effect on the people.”

“The Nigerian people are already suffering and if there is need to increase their pain then there should be a way to inform, educate and orientate them about the challenges ahead of them. You know that the Nigerian no longer trust governmental pronouncements because of past unfulfilled promises,” he stated.

Speaking in the same vein, a bishop-elect in charge of Lagos East zone of the Church of God Mission, Rev. Sunny Faith Ugbah, argued that the government had an obligation to consult among all the stakeholders in the country, apprising them reasons why they should accept the governmental move.

Addressing newsmen in his Mafoluku, Lagos church office ahead of the church’s national convention scheduled for Faith Arena in Benin City next week which will feature the consecration of two bishops among others, the bishop-elect said all over the world governments are obliged to subject their actions to public scrutiny before any fundamental decision that affects them is taken.