By Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) on Friday rose from the 63rd General Church Council (GCC) meeting with the endorsement of the ECWA President, Dr. Jeremiah Gado, as their candidate for the presidency of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The Council also cautioned the Kaduna State government against the passage of the proposed Religious Bill, saying it contained lots of flaws and raised concerns and contradictions that negate Sections 38 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to citizen’s right to worship.
The church also commended the efforts of the Federal Government to recover stolen funds, but cautioned that such recovered funds should not be “re-looted.”
A communique after the meeting, which was signed by ECWA President, Jeremiah Gado and the General Secretary, Prof. Samuel Kunhiyop, added that the decision to endorse Gado for the presidency was because the ECWA-TEKAN bloc of the association has never occupied the position, noting that the endorsement was in line with CAN’s rotational principle among the blocs.
“The Council deliberated on the forthcoming Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN election for the Association’s President position. Considering the fact that ECWA/TEKAN bloc of the Association has never occupied the Presidency.
“In line with CAN’s rotational principle among the blocs, the Council endorsed the ECWA President, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Gado to vie for the position and prayed for his success.
“While commending the efforts of the Kaduna State Government towards ensuring peaceful co-existence, Council however cautions against the passage of the proposed Religious Bill which ECWA viewed in the larger context as containing a lot of flaws.
“The Bill raises fears, concerns and contradiction that will in turn ultimately negate Sections 38 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to citizen’s right to worship”, they said.
While urging the government to respect the fundamental human rights of the suspects of corrupt practices, the Church asked the government to thoroughly investigate them and pursue the cases diligently to logical conclusion.
