Discordant Tunes Over New CAN President

By Ayodele Oni

There are contradictory reports over the emergence of a successor to outgoing President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Olusupo Ayokunle.

A report stated that Kano state-born Most Rev. Daniel Okoh has emerged as the new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

This was contained in a statement by CAN spokesman, Joseph Daramola.

Okoh is the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church, also known as Nation Builders (Odozi-Obodo).

CAN is made up of five blocs: Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN)/Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), (TEKAN and ECWA Fellowship).

The association is scheduled to hold its general assembly on July 27 which would usher in the new administration.

The assembly also marks the end of the tenure of Samson Olusupo-Ayokunle.

Another statement, signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, a media aide to outgoing president a successor to Ayokunle would still have to fulfill some constitutional provisions guiding the Christian body.

The statement reads “The attention of the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has been drawn to the story going the rounds that the Most Rev. Daniel Okoh has emerged the new President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“According to reports, the announcement is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the CAN’s General Secretary, Barrister Joseph Daramola. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

“For the record, Daramola is not the spokesman of the Association but the General Secretary.

“The letter being referred to was the Invitation Letter sent to the members of the National Executive Council and the blocs’ leaders of the Association to complete the process that will lead to the emergence of the new President.

“According to the CAN’s Constitution, Article 17 (9) viii-xi, the National Executive Council and the General Assembly must ratify the nomination of the candidate before the new President emerges. So, the process is still ongoing and it will be completed on Thursday.

“It is true that the Most Rev Okoh has emerged the candidate from the Electoral College but this must be ratified by the National Executive Council and the General Assembly.

“Perhaps, it is imperative to state what the Constitution says about the remaining process:

“According to Article 17 (9) (viii), ‘The candidate who secures majority vote of the Electoral College for each office shall be recommended to the National Executive Council.’

“Article 17 (9) ix states ‘The National Executive Council shall accept the recommended candidates for the offices of the President and the Vice President and present them to the General Assembly for ratification by the majority of votes of those qualified to vote at the General Assembly.’

“Article 17 (9) x states, ‘In the event that any candidate fails to secure the majority vote of the General Assembly, the procedure in paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (8) herein shall be repeated by the Electoral College to reconsider the suitability or otherwise of all the candidates based upon the reasons adduced by those who opposed the candidature.

“The Electoral College may or may not substitute any candidate for any position based on majority vote of its members.’

“Article 17 (9) xi states, ‘In the event of a deadlock in which case the candidate represented is rejected by the General Assembly, a combined meeting of the Electoral College and the President-in-Council of the Association will examine the issue(s) and make a final choice from all the nominated candidates for the office.’

“CAN is scheduled to hold its General Assembly on July 28  where the new President will be made known to the public.”