By Danzumi Ishaku, Jalingo.
Three Christians candidate in Taraba state contesting for the gubernatorial election under the platform of the All Prograssive Congress, APC, Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha and that of the Labour Party, LP, Joel Ikenya alongside Social Democratic party, SDP, Danladi Baido have expressed dismay over the attitude of the Taraba state CAN chairman Isaiah Magaji Jiripe and some of his members in taken side in the state governorship politics as a body of Christ.
The Governorship candidates made their decision know on Wednesday while briefing Journalists in Jalingo said CAN, Taraba state chapter is now a government parastarter.
Reacting to the call by CAN, for the endorsement of the PDP candidate Col. Agbu Kefas for the forth coming governorship election in the state, it was gathered that the CAN chairman and his members collected the sum of 50m to endorse col. Agbu Kefast, which according to the three candidates the Christian body has taken side by nominating a wrong candidate for Tarabans.
“Taraba is not all about CAN but all about the people of Taraba state”.
The gubernatorial candidates who spoke differently at the press briefing, said with what Tarabans are passing through today, such as lake of payment of pension and gratuity, local government staff, Teachers salary among others was caused by CAN, Taraba state decision that endorsed the seating Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku in 2015.
They called on the general public to disregard the call by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Taraba state chapter, saying they are candidate for all and not for any religion.
“Taraba state is not a company for any particular person but Taraba state is for all Tarabans” We are Candidates for all and not for a particular religion”.
Daybreak News gathered that on the 24 of February 2023 CAN Taraba State chapter in a press release to Christians in Taraba endorse Col. Agbu Kefas as Christian candidate for the state governorship election out of the five Christian candidates contesting for the position.
The statement written and sign by the state CAN secretary Bishop Manasseh Silas Rifore says “by the unanimous decision and resolution adopted at the CAN state Assembly that held on Thursday 23 Feb. 2023 I have been mandated to write and instruct all Bloc leaders, local Government coordinators and the CAN wings to strictly adhere to the following”.
“A single choice from the five Governorship candidates must be made so that Christians vote will not be splited.
Dire caution must be execised so that we Christians don’t lose our ancestral land to another faith”.
” In view of the above fact that CAN is responsible to give directions to the body of Christ in the state, all Christians in Taraba are hereby directed to accept, mobilize and massively vote Col. Agbu Kefas of the PDP for the Governor as her endorsed candidate”.
