Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor
Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, among others, will on Monday and Tuesday meet in the nation’s capital to deliberate on best ways to ensure a successful conduct of the election.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja made this known in a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku, the diocese’s Director of Communications, in Abuja.
The statement said President Goodluck Jonathan was expected to declare the conference open.
Expected to attend are state governors, national and state legislators, the judiciary, religious and traditional leaders, professionals, academics and leaders of thought, civil society, media, as well as critical stakeholders.
Others include Dr William Vendley, Secretary-General, World Council of Religious Leaders, Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, Grand Mufti of Uganda and co-chair, African Council for Religious Leaders and other religious leaders across Africa.
The statement added that the conference, with the theme “Interfaith Understanding and Cooperation for Responsible Politics,” would hold a symposium on religious extremism in Nigeria.
Similarly, a statement issued by the Sultan in Kaduna, said the event was aimed at ensuring credible and peaceful electioneering process in 2015.
“The conversation that it will generate is considered apt for setting the mood of the nation as we step into the threshold of another electioneering campaign. “His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and I, as well as other members of the Interfaith Initiative for Peace, will be happy leading the conversation towards a better Nigeria,” the monarch wrote.
A communiqué is expected at the end of the conference, while a workable resolution will be adopted towards peaceful electioneering period ahead of the 2015 general elections.
However, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, DailyPost gathered was not officially invited to the conference.
Under normal circumstance, the Warri-based preacher by virtue of his position as the official head of Christians in the country, should participate.
Speaking to DailyPost Monday morning, a media practictioner operating from Abuja, lamented the non-invitation of Oritsejafor.
“Can you see how they are mixing religion and politics,” the source who did not want his name revealed, asked rhetoretically.
“Why would such gathering of respected religious leaders and prominent persons, meet and not invite the president of CAN? Is he not a stakeholder? It’s just unfortunate. I was discussing this matter with some of my colleagues before you called.”
Asked why Cardinal Onaiyekan did not insist that the body extends invitation to Oritsejafor, the source replied: “You see, Cardinal Onaiyekan is one of the biggest problems Christians in the North have. He gives us away cheaply to our Muslim friends.”
“The Muslim North see him as a soft man, so they rather have him attend any meeting than the president of CAN, who speaks his mind regardless of how revered the indvudual is.”
“I believe they left him out because he (Oritsejafor) might disagree with them on some of the agenda. But this is not the right thing to do.”
In a chat with DailyPost, a functionary in the office of CAN General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, said he was not aware of the conference.
“Where and when is this event holding please?” he quipped.
After our reporter answered, “In Abuja sir,” he said: “Well, I don’t think CAN President was invited, perhaps because it is an initiatve of the Catholics.”
When informed that a number of key stakeholders from within and outside the country were invited for the discourse, the official responded: “I am sure the (CAN) president would attend if he got an invite.”
Comments