Senior CAN Official Snubs Tinubu Campaign Council, Says He Was Sneaked In

Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam, a social justice and peace advocate, has stated that neither he nor his wife, Prof. Funmi Para-Mallam, were aware of their nomination as members of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APCPCC) because their consent was not sought.

Despite insisting that he is not a member of any political party in the country, Para-Mallam claimed that the Christian Association of Nigeria had taken a stand against the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the APC and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, despite widespread condemnation.

GWG.NG reports that there was tension in CAN following the unexpected appearance of about eight members opposed to the Muslim-Muslim ticket on the APC campaign council list.

Among them were its controversial Lagos State chairman, Stephen Adegbite (member); Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Comfort Chigbue (member); and Testimony Onifade, former Personal Assistant to immediate past CAN President, Samson Supo Ayokunle (member).

Others include Victor Ivoke, Personal Assistant to Rev. Daniel Okoh, current President of CAN (member); Kwamkur Samuel, CAN’s former Director of Legal and Public Affairs (member); and Prof. Para-Mallam (member).

Although the tenure of the CAN officials expires in ten days, Samuel has applied for reappointment, according to sources.

Since the names were made public, the issue has remained a hot topic in several churches and CAN leaders’ WhatsApp groups.

However, Para-Mallam stated in a statement that his name was smuggled into the list by the APC.

“My attention has been drawn to a list in circulation indicating that I (or my wife, Prof. (Funmi) Para-Mallam) have been nominated to serve on the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council,” he said. We were both unaware of the nomination, and our consent was not obtained.

“Nigeria is a great country; our present setbacks notwithstanding. But I believe that Nigeria will be great again. I love this country. I am not a partisan politician. I am a clergyman and a social justice peace advocate. I am non-partisan. I am also not a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria today (not that it would be wrong, but I am not at moment).

“Besides, CAN has taken a position against any Muslim-Muslim ticket and any Christian-Christian ticket. I respect that decision. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. This contextual reality needs to show in the way our political parties play their politics through fair internal party politics.

“Accepting to serve in the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council will negate this fundamental reality of what we are as a multi-religious country. Politics of inclusiveness should override politics of exclusion not just in 2023 but beyond.

“I, therefore, wish to distance myself from membership of any campaign team of any political party in the forthcoming 2023 elections. I have some respected and close friends in all the major political parties. I will continue to work to promote political harmony and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. May God give Nigeria peaceful 2023 elections.

“God bless Nigeria and guide both the parties and Nigerians as the campaign season commences.”

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