….says their endorsement only course hatred against Christians at the expense of their interests
…Dami, Billy have said the views of many Christians-Nicholas
A concerned Adamawa indigene who is a Christian faulted the open endorsement of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri by the leaders of Adamawa State Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza and his counterpart, Rev Joel S. Billy, the President of Ekklisiyar Yan’Uwa a Najeriya (EYN)- Church of the Brethren in Nigeria.
The Concerned Christian, J B Christopher in a statement issued to TG NEWS said both the CAN Chairman and EYN President are treading in a risky path.
According to him it’s totally unheard of for clergy men of their worth to openly endorse the Governor for his second term bid.
He worried that the two leaders are setting a very dangerous precedence that may work against the Christians in the nearby future, fraternizing with the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri at the expense of many gubernatorial candidates is alien to Christendom.
While admitting that Billy and Dami have every right to endorse whoever the wish well to become the next Governor of Adamawa State, he said they should equally be mindful of the fact that they are fathers to all Christians irrespective of denominations before being Fathers to others within their ancestral communities.
He said there is no sincerity over their decision knowing the fact that there are equally a gubernatorial candidate who is a Christian vying for the governorship position, Engr. Maigana Musa of YPP alongside Governor Ahmadu Fintiri yet, CAN and EYN leaders ditched him in favor of Fintiri is tantamount to disgrace for all Christians in other parties.
J B Christopher said Billy and Dami unpretentious endorsement is a decision that shows they are inconsistent with their words haven heard of their campaigns strategy on Christians to vote for Peter Obi of Labour Party.
To J B, it is a shame and disgraceful act to Christian leaders to stoop low to the extend of going to campaign ground campaigning for a sitting Governor, it’s a decision for personal interest not the church.
“Sadly, the move by C.A.N and E.Y.N to openly endorse Fintiri and PDP may be a bad politics that may set Adamawa Christians on a very dangerous precipice especially if APC and Binani wins. Even though Binani’s running mate is also a Christian and from most likely from the E.Y.N family or Catholic family, the act by the duos is indeed a slap and spite to them for choosing a Muslim over their own son.” Christopher said
He continued to say that: “the unwise decision of the Christian leaders is reading on them to understand that politics is a game of strategy and planning which the may know little or nothing about it, but they only driving by their emotions which detrimental to Christians in the state.
“CAN and E.Y.N did not think strategically but used their emotions in this regards. While it is normal for them to support Fintiri and eulogise all the good works they felt he has done, they can equally support other candidates and pray for them as well.
“But singling out one among many to support to me will only set us against each other and against our Muslim counterparts. As Christians, we are the light of the world and should show our light in all our dealings and jettison all forms of injustice
“I am not aware of the Muslim Council in Adamawa openly to have endorsed Binani or Fintiri or any other candidates. To me, the E.Y.N and C.A.N leadership should engage in serious damage control and retract its steps if they truly love the Christians they are meant to lead.
“I advise CAN and EYN as a body to issue a statement supporting all candidates that have the interests of the state and nation at larger and not limiting their support and goodwill to only Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
“We can’t continue in this trajectory of partisanship and expect to take the leading roles in Adamawa State and Nigeria at large.
“This is not an attempt to rubbish the image of any Christian leader but to sound a word of caution. Politics is not a religious affairs and religious leaders should tread cautiously when dealing with politicians.”
In a counter reaction against the views of Mr JB Christopher, another Christian who is also an indigene of Adamawa state, Engr Emmanuel Nicholas held up the stand of Dami and Billy as respected Christian elders to have aired the views of many Christians in the state.
According to him the agitation for justice and equity for Adamawa State Christians has been what the elders have fought for several years ago and the Youth later joined.
Before now according to him Christians have been marginalized in terms of appointment and recruitment into State Civil Service and Federal Service.
‘We have never asked for anything beyond equity and justice. We have no ambition to marginalize anybody to dominate our brothers. Bible has enjoined us to be just and fair to all. For any good Christian, it’s immaterial who becomes the leader as long as he will lead with justice and fear of God. The Bible never said Christians should only vote for a Christian.” Emmanuel said
In his contrary views also he praised Governor Ahmadu Umaru to have tried in carrying along Christian Community more than any non-Christian Governor in Adamawa State.
He asserted that the State is more peaceful and united now than it has ever been in recent times. Both Muslim and Christians are treated fairly under Fintiri’s Government.
“I am making a case for all Christian Leaders supporting Fintiri that they are speaking on our behalf. We the majority are with them and we will vote for him.” he said
