The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has expressed dissatisfaction with the visit of the United States’ Secretary of State, John Kerry, to Nigeria, describing it as “discriminatory and divisive.”
Secretary Kerry, on arrival to Nigeria, headed straight to Sokoto State where he met with the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar.
He also held a meeting with some northern leaders and students before heading to Abuja to meet President Muhammadu Buhari.
However in an interview on Thursday, CAN President, Supo Ayokunle, said Kerry’s visit excluded the Christians and the Southern people of Nigeria.
He said the visit portrayed “lack of respect for the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, amounted to favouring northern Nigeria and Muslims to the detriment of the Christian community.
“Why did he meet with 19 states governors, without southern governors, is Nigeria the north alone, why did you go to the north alone?” he asked.
“We have 36 States in Nigeria; he only selected northern governors to meet with them.
“It was a visit to the north, not to Nigeria. It was surely a very divisive visit,” Ayokunle added.
He said Kerry’s visit has supported the claims that the Obama administration openly supported the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2016 general elections, which produced the current leadership of the country.
The CAN President said: “There’s a siege on Christians. Kerry, his actions speak volume, his actions, body language were very divisive.
“If US Secretary of States is coming for official visit, it’s understandable, but we demand explanation why he was selective.
“Has the sultan palace become another state house? Was Kerry invited by the Sultan?
“Kerry’s visit has heightened fear and tension among Christians in Nigeria, if they cannot bring us together, they should not interfere in our affairs,” he said.
Ayokunle also condemned the killing of Christians in northern Nigeria.
He said that “government’s selective persecution of Christians mostly by the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Nigerian Police,” makes it “obvious the administration was anti-Christians”.
Ayokunle asked: “Have the DSS arrested the Muslim youths who burnt down a Catholic Church in Niger State because they were worshiping on Friday?
“What happened to the ECWA Pastor who was killed in his farm in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State?
“What have happened with Redeemed Preacher who was murdered in Kubwa, Abuja?
“Look at the recent case in Zamfara State, Christians where burnt alive. What has happened?
“They will tell you, they are still investigating. Have they been arrested and charged them to court?
“If the government cannot sit up and protect Christians, tolerance is going to break down, they should do the right thing, they should not provoke Christians.
“Have we ever seen this government bring anybody to book?” he queried.
The CAN President also called on the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to intervene in the case of the man who was arrested for naming his dog “Buhari”.
He insisted that there is no criminal offence in someone giving a dog whatever he wishes.
“The NBA should take up that case and ascertain whether the man has the right to give any name to a dog.
“They should come and protect the man’s human rights and set the record why the case is not a criminal offence,” Ayokunle said.