By Caleb Ayansina

ABUJA—NORTHERN Christians, yesterday, debunked insinuations that they had pulled out of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, over controversy that trailed the just-concluded CAN’s election.

New CAN President, Rev Ayokunle

The 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, insisted that the election that produced Dr. Samson Ayokunle as CAN President was inclusive and peaceful, insisting that they stood by the outcome the election and the new leadership of CAN.

Speaking on behalf of other northern states’ CAN Chairmen, the Borno State chapter Chairman, Bishop Mohammed Abubakar Naga, said: “The election was peacefully conducted and was sincere and honest. Pulling out of CAN? There is nothing of that nature. Those who are saying this are just agents of division and disunity.

“These are the chairmen of northern Nigeria 19 states, plus Abuja making 20. We are their representatives and there has never been such a meeting and nobody speaks on our behalf, except we seat there as executives of Northern CAN.”

They also commended the immediate past administration of CAN, led by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, for standing by the northern Christians during the Boko Haram insurgency, calling on the incumbent CAN President, Ayokunle, to emulate his predecessor.