Rev. Okoh not yet president – CAN, says ‘process still ongoing’

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Wednesday, doused reports making the rounds claiming that Most Rev. Daniel Okoh has emerged as the new president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), saying the body has yet to make that announcement.

It would be recalled that a statement issued, Tuesday in Abuja by Mr Joseph Daramola, the association’s General Secretary, had claimed that Rev. Okoh is now the president of the Nigerian churches umbrella body.

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

The statement also informed that CAN 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 His Eminence Samson Olusupo-Ayokunle and members of the National Executives under his team.

“The outgoing CAN president thanked all Nigerians for their support and prayers which led to his successful tenure.

“On Wednesday, July 27, CAN ‘s pre-assembly, symposium and NEC meeting will begin, while on Thursday, the general assembly, sent-forth service and dinner will hold.

“The handing over ceremony and beginning of the new regime will take place on Friday July 29,” the statement read.

However, responding to the claims, Wednesday, the leadership of the churches body doused the reports, insisting that the process for the emrgence of a new president of the association ‘is still ongoing.’

According to CAN, Most Rev Okoh only emerged as the candidate of the Electoral College, even as a formal consent had to be given by the National Executive Council and the General Assembly.

A fresh statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Media Assistant to the outgoing CAN President, Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle, Tuesday night, further explained that Daramola who had earlier issued the statement on Okoh as new president of CAN, was not the spokesperson of the association but the General Secretary.

Oladeji added that the said letter from where the claims originated was an Invitation Letter sent to the members of the National Executive Council to finalize the steps necessary for the election 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 The Most Rev Okoh has indeed(9) x stars.

“In the event that any candidate of a 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 which where the new President will be made known to the public,” the statement explained.

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).